If you’re only hearing from your IT provider when a system crashes or a contract is up for renewal, it’s time to re-evaluate that relationship.
Technology in healthcare isn’t “set it and forget it.” Systems evolve, threats multiply, and compliance rules shift. That’s why New Jersey medical practices need quarterly check-ins with a healthcare IT partner who doesn’t just speak tech — they speak compliance, continuity, and clinical reality.
Here are seven critical questions every NJ practice manager or administrator should be asking their IT provider at least once a quarter. No jargon. No guesswork. Just answers that keep your systems — and your patients — safe.
#1: Are There Any Security Vulnerabilities We Need to Fix Right Now?
This isn’t paranoia — it’s protection. Ask your IT partner:
- Are all devices running current antivirus and endpoint protection?
- Do we have any unpatched software or exposed systems?
- Have there been any red flags or near misses recently?
In a state like New Jersey, where healthcare data is a prime target, ignoring weak spots is asking for trouble
#2: Are Our Backups Working — and Have You Actually Tested Them?
Backups are like crash carts: they don’t help if they’re empty or broken. Ask:
- When was the last full restore test?
- Are we using a HIPAA-compliant backup method (cloud, off-site, hybrid)?
- Are we backing up the right data and systems?
- How secure is our backup storage?
Many practices think they’re protected until a server fails and recovery stalls.
#3: Are Our Staff Following Security Best Practices?
It only takes one click on a phishing email to bring a system down. Check in on:
- Unusual logins or access patterns
- Whether MFA is enabled for all critical systems
- Whether it’s time for another round of security awareness training
Your IT provider should be watching for behavior that puts your practice at risk — and guiding your team to stay compliant.
#4: Is Our Network Holding Us Back?
Slow systems mean slow care. Ask:
- Are we seeing consistent slowness, outages, or connectivity issues?
- Are we outgrowing our current network or hardware?
- Is there anything we can optimize to improve performance?
A sluggish EHR, choppy telehealth call, or delayed imaging file upload costs you time and trust.
#5: Are We Still HIPAA-Compliant?
Regulations evolve. Your IT strategy should too. Ask:
- Have any HIPAA requirements changed this quarter?
- Are our current systems, policies, and vendors still compliant?
- Do we need to update anything to stay audit-ready?
Noncompliance isn’t just risky — it’s expensive.
#6: What Should We Be Budgeting for Next Quarter?
Good IT planning is proactive. Get ahead of:
- Expiring software licenses
- Aging or unsupported equipment
- Projected upgrades or integrations
This keeps your practice prepared, not panicked.
#7: Are We Falling Behind on Any Healthcare IT or Cybersecurity Trends?
Technology doesn’t sit still. Neither do cybercriminals. Ask:
- Are there new best practices we should adopt?
- Are we behind on any updates, tools, or protocols?
- What are peer practices in NJ doing that we’re not?
Staying ahead of the curve means fewer surprises and fewer breaches.
Haven’t Had These Conversations? That’s a Red Flag.
If your IT provider can’t answer these questions clearly — or isn’t initiating these check-ins themselves — it may be time to look elsewhere.
We specialize in IT services for New Jersey healthcare providers. Our HIPAA-certified experts meet with clients quarterly (or more) to make sure nothing slips through the cracks.
Start with a FREE Healthcare IT Security Assessment. We’ll show you where you’re strong, where you’re exposed, and how to fix the gaps before they turn into emergencies.