SwedishAmerican Health System

Remote Access to a Large, Diverse Population

SwedishAmerican is a not-for-profit, locally governed health care system dedicated to providing the highest value care to those who are sick, and the most effective prevention strategies to those who are well. As a recognized a leader in the implementation, measurement and improvement of quality initiatives in healthcare, no health system in northern Illinois has won more national awards for quality than SwedishAmerican.

Secure, Cost-Effective Remote Data Access

A few years ago, one of the challenges that faced SwedishAmerican Health System was providing its 2200 employees with remote access to the MEDITECH and IDX Systems. They needed a solution that was secure, robust, and had an easy client install. Getting software out to a population of this size is always a challenge, and if you add training to the installation requirements, most solutions, like a VPN (virtual private network) is cost prohibitive.

Upon researching alternative solutions, they became aware of Interbit Data’s NetAccess product. They had heard about their add-on solutions to the MEDITECH system and had met them at the MUSE International Conference. “We were very impressed by their knowledge of what they were offering,” said Jim Stoltz, systems manager at SwedishAmerican Health System. “They know their users and offer solutions targeted at our needs.”

A Simple Solution that Works

The NetAccess product offers health care organizations an alternative to costly and complex remote access solutions. The client software installs quickly and easily, eliminating the need for the IS department to handle each installation.

“We saw that they had a nice product at a nice price,” said Jim. “So often with security devices such as VPNs and firewalls, there is a large investment to ensure the product is installed properly and the users are trained. NetAccess is simple to install and use and provides good security.”

SwedishAmerican’s several hundred users including employees, physicians, vendors and corporate customers all were able to install the client themselves. This gives employees the ability to work from home and keep up with what is happening, even when they are not in the office. Prior to NetAccess, this was virtually impossible. “The best feedback we got is no feedback because NetAccess is easy to use and there were no problems setting it up,” muses Jim. “We send them a CD and never hear from them again. This has been a tremendous saving for IS in both time and dollars.”

Partnering with a Knowledgeable Company

The major reasons for choosing Interbit Data’s NetAccess solution were simplicity and cost-effective. But another benefit to SwedishAmerican is the technical knowledge of the individuals. The folks at Interbit Data know the MEDITECH system as well as their product, which makes life easier when you have issues, regardless of where the issue resides. In addition, Interbit Data works with their customers to determine product enhancements to their current products as well as with new products.

“Interbit Data offers a niche solution for MEDITECH users at a very competitive price and follows up with excellent support and enhancements. They provide their customers with capabilities that they want and need,” added Jim. “We are so pleased with the success we’ve had with NetAccess, we just bought NetPrint Plus.”

About SwedishAmerican Health System

Headquartered in Rockford, Illinois, SwedishAmerican Health System serves 12 counties in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin through a major acute care hospital, a network of 14 primary care and multi-specialty clinics, the region’s largest home health care agency and a full spectrum of outpatient, wellness and education programs, including the SwedishAmerican Center for Complementary Medicine —the region’s only center exclusively devoted to alternative and complementary medicine.