Northwestern Memorial Physicians Group

SUCCESS STORY
Northwestern Memorial
Physicians Group
Increasing Efficiency & Security While Lowering Costs
traditional “box” PCs in every patient exam
room and nursing station versus deploying
ClearCube PC Blades and User Ports. The
ClearCube solution removes the PC from
the user’s desk, shrinks it into a PC Blade
(powered by the latest Intel® processors),
and centralizes it in a secure location. Only
the peripherals and User Port (which connects
the peripherals to the PC Blade) remain in the
user’s workspace.
The Solution
NMPG’s cost analysis showed that a box
PC system would actually increase costs
associated with support time spent managing
users and maintaining disparate hardware
and software systems spread across the
satellite clinics.
OVERVIEW
4The Challenge
Implement a secure Electronic
Medical Records (EMR) system,
improving efficiency and patient care
while meeting HIPAA security and
privacy regulations
4The Solution
Deploy ClearCube PC Blades and
User Ports throughout exam rooms
and workstations
4The Benefit
Increased security of hardware and
data assets, reduced IT support time
and costs, reduced user downtime,
and improved information delivery
Northwestern Memorial Physicians Group
(NMPG) is a multi-site practice of primary
The NMPG study also concluded that
care physicians affiliated with Northwestern
deploying traditional box PCs in its high-traffic,
Memorial Hospital in Chicago.
high-intensity, multi-site environment posed a
The Challenge
risk to data and equipment security as well
NMPG wanted to implement a secure
Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system
within its nine satellite clinics. Such a system
would help NMPG improve efficiency and
“Since space is at a premium, we needed a
solution that occupies the least amount of
patient care while meeting HIPAA security
space, yet has the full capabilities of a regular
and privacy regulations. “With multiple sites
PC. The ClearCube solution allows us to use
it was difficult to keep records complete
minimal space by only putting in the flat panel,
and organized,” says Angie Adams, Clinical
Preceptor. “Some doctors even kept medical
records at their desk or in their briefcases.”
While evaluating how best to deploy their
new EMR solution, NMPG conducted a
detailed analysis that contrasted implementing
mouse, keyboard, and C/Port.”
— Alan Jordan
Systems Analyst
Northwestern Memorial Physicians Group
as HIPAA compliance. PCs in these areas are
of hardware and data assets, reduced IT
vulnerable to theft, damage, or accidental user
support time and costs, reduced user downtime,
damage.
and improved information delivery - all while
“Having a ClearCube PC Blade in the exam
providing a higher level of patient care.
room means I can access and input the
Zip, or floppy disks) also greatly compromise
The centralization of the PC Blades greatly
patient’s information in my typical workflow.”
the security of patient data while creating the
increased security of IT equipment, which
support hassles of user-introduced software
solved problems associated with unauthorized
and viruses.
network
Accessible mass storage devices (CD-ROM,
The analysis concluded that the ClearCube
solution was the only way to deploy an EMR
solution in every exam room while increasing
security, decreasing operating costs, and
providing a higher level of patient care. Exact
statistics can be found at the end of this
success story.
access,
user-installed
software
or viruses, and data theft. The solution’s
remote management software and switching
capabilities allow IT managers to remotely
maintain, upgrade, or image PC Blades in
one central location rather than making timeconsuming trips to each of the nine clinic
sites. This simplified management significantly
reduced support costs for NMPG.
The Benefit
And because ClearCube provides full PC
NMPG deployed the ClearCube solution
throughout the exam rooms and workstations
in its nine clinics. NMPG immediately realized
— Dr. Lyle Berkowitz M.D.
Northwestern Memorial Physicians Group
performance without the bulky, noisy PC at
the user’s workstation, the doctor/patient
experience is greatly enhanced.
“If the doctors know we’re there, then we’re
not doing our job. ClearCube allows us to
seamlessly support and manage our desktop
infrastructure without disturbing the doctors.”
— Guy Fuller
Information Systems Manager
Northwestern MemorialPhysicians Group
dramatic benefits, including increased security
Full PC experience without the “box”
8834 Capital of Texas Highway North
Centralized PC Blades in datacenter
Austin, Texas 78759
Voice 512.652.3500
www.clearcube.com
Fax 512.652.3501
Toll Free 866-652-3500
Results of NMPG Cost Analysis:
ClearCube PC Blade vs. Traditional Desktop
This study showed that NMPG would experience the following by deploying the ClearCube solution:
•
•
76% reduction in amount of IT support time: By centralizing the computing hardware, the time required to upgrade
components entire machines is dramatically reduced.
•
57% reduction in hours spent on upgrades: Centralized hardware means IT can upgrade an entire deployment of PC Blades at once instead of having to go desk to desk.
50% reduction in time spent on moves/adds/changes: NMPG would reduce the number of hours spent per year on moves/
adds/changes (and associated support costs) because moves are virtualized and can be done without visiting the clinic.
•
69% improvement in user downtime: The ClearCube solution enables centralized hardware monitoring and hot-sparing, so end user uptime is dramatically improved. NMPG’s study determined that ClearCube PC Blades would improve uptime by 69% over box PCs.
Overall, the study found that in a four-year period, NMPG will save approximately $300,000 per 100 ClearCube PC Blades (vs. box PCs).
More significantly, ClearCube creates a highly secure system and simplifies IT management, all while providing full PC performance that
enables NMPG to provide the best possible patient care.
Source: Northwestern Memorial Physicians Group
8834 Capital of Texas Highway North
Austin, Texas 78759
Voice 512.652.3500
www.clearcube.com
Fax 512.652.3501
Toll Free 866-652-3500