In today’s healthcare landscape, reliance on electronic health records (EHRs) and digital systems is paramount. However, unplanned downtimes can disrupt these systems, leading to significant financial losses and compromising patient safety. Understanding the costs associated with downtime and implementing effective strategies for business continuity and operational resilience are essential for healthcare organizations aiming to minimize disruptions and enhance patient care.

The Financial Impact of Downtime in Healthcare

Downtime in healthcare settings can be financially devastating. A report by Comparitech revealed that in 2023 alone, downtime in the U.S. health sector cost approximately $14.7 billion, primarily driven by ransomware attacks and other system failures (Comparitech, 2023).

On a more granular level, downtime costs hospitals an average of $7,900 per minute, according to TigerConnect. This staggering figure reflects losses from canceled procedures, delayed treatments, and the diversion of emergency cases to other facilities (TigerConnect, 2023).

Real-Life Examples of Downtime Consequences

The repercussions of system downtimes extend beyond financial losses, directly affecting patient safety:

  • Global IT Outage: A cybersecurity update caused a global failure of Windows-based computers in hospitals, disrupting medical visits, canceling procedures, and delaying critical diagnostics (Wired, 2023).
  • SA Health Incident: In South Australia, a system malfunction in SA Health’s IT services affected pathology and imaging systems. Clinicians were unable to access test results, leading to delays and risks to patient care (Adelaide Now, 2023).

Impact on Patient Safety

Unplanned downtimes pose serious risks to patient safety. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association highlighted that EHR downtimes hinder patient identification and access to critical information, increasing the likelihood of medication errors, delayed treatments, and compromised decision-making (JAMIA, 2020).

Strategies for Reducing Downtime and Enhancing Patient Safety

To mitigate the risks associated with system downtimes, healthcare organizations should implement comprehensive business continuity (BC) and disaster recovery (DR) strategies:

  • Business Impact Analysis: Identifying critical business services and their dependencies to understand the potential impact of disruptions.
  • Recovery Strategies: Developing plans to restore applications and infrastructure promptly during downtime events.
  • Call Trees and Communication Plans: Establishing clear communication channels to ensure timely dissemination of information during crises.
  • Regular Exercises and Scenario Testing: Conducting drills to test the effectiveness of BC and DR plans, ensuring staff are prepared for various scenarios.

How CLDigital’s Software Supports Hospitals During Downtimes

CLDigital offers a suite of solutions designed to enhance operational resilience and ensure continuity of care during system downtimes:

  • Comprehensive BC and DR Planning: CLDigital’s software facilitates the development of business continuity and disaster recovery plans, incorporating business impact analysis, recovery strategies, and compliance tracking.
  • Crisis and Incident Management: With features like playbooks, action boards, and situational awareness tools, the platform enables healthcare organizations to effectively manage incidents, assign tasks, and maintain clear communication during crises.
  • Operational Resilience: The platform supports process mapping, impact tolerances, and scenario testing, helping organizations identify vulnerabilities and strengthen their ability to recover from disruptions.

By leveraging CLDigital’s software, healthcare organizations can reduce downtime costs, maintain compliance with federal continuity directives, and most importantly, uphold patient safety during unforeseen events.

Conclusion

While downtimes in healthcare are often unavoidable, their financial and safety impacts can be significantly mitigated through proactive planning and robust business continuity and disaster recovery strategies. Partnering with CLDigital equips healthcare providers with the tools necessary to navigate disruptions effectively, ensuring continuous, high-quality patient care.

By: Chad Robbins, SVP of Platform Strategy

Chad J. Robbins is a seasoned executive with nearly a decade of experience at CLDigital, where he currently serves as Senior Vice President of Platform Strategy. In this role, he drives platform innovation, market strategy, and user growth, building on a proven track record of leading enterprise risk solutions, fostering client relationships, and delivering strategic outcomes for Fortune 100 and 500 companies.