TRIANGLE ORTHOPAEDIC ASSOCIATES

Triangle Orthopaedic Associates Finds a More Robust Network Connection that Saves Money and Aids in HIPAA Compliance

Background

Triangle Orthopaedic Associates, P.A. is a physician-directed medical practice, caring for patients with musculoskeletal and pain problems through “state-of-the-art” medical treatment, surgery, physical medicine & rehabilitation, physical therapy, occupational (hand) therapy, a chronic pain program, and other medical and diagnostic services responsive to the needs of patients living within the counties that they serve. This premier orthopaedic group operates out of a 65,000-square-foot facility in Durham, N.C., and seven satellite offices within a 35-mile radius. Triangle Orthopaedics provides
care regardless of the patient’s ability to pay. Business operations, including the coding and billing of services, are conducted with the highest ethical standards.

Challenges

Triangle Orthopaedics’ network infrastructure was made up of a complex network hosting centralized practice management systems, electronic medical records and digital imagery, which required localized and remote access. In order to support at-home and satellite facility work, the group’s offices, clinics and local hospitals, as well as staff members’ private homes had to have access to high resolution scans, patient medical records and internal software. Much of the diagnostic and follow-up care the Triangle Orthopaedic staff provides relies on state-of-the-art Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT or CAT scan) digital imagery, both of which produce very high resolution files. Transmission of these large files was putting a huge strain on the existing T1 network connection.

In addition to a more robust network connection, Triangle Orthopaedic Associates also needed state of the art network security. “Due to HIPAA [Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act] requirements, it is important that we have a safe, secure connection between servers and facilities,” explained George Sheasley, Triangle Orthopaedic Associates CFO.

Solution

Time Warner Cable Business Class worked closely with Triangle Orthopaedics’ technology integrator during the design and implementation of a fiber optic Metro Ethernet Network specifically for Triangle Orthopaedic Associates. The network is comprised of a 50Mbps circuit with point to point circuits extending to six remote locations. In addition, a separate 5 Mbps connection was installed at the hub site providing dedicated Internet access to all locations. Cooperation and communication between Time Warner Cable Business Class and Triangle Orthopaedics’ integrator were key in implementing this solution without impacting Triangle Orthopaedic Associates’ business of high quality patient care.

“We had been tracking the availability of Time Warner Cable’s Metro Ethernet solution for some time as we knew it would enhance Triangle Orthopaedics’ technology experience. Once it became available, the rest was a no-brainer. The pre-engineering and sales process was great and afforded us the luxury of really understanding how our customer would benefit from cost/performance and technology standpoints,” explained Greg Wassil, Vice President of Consulting Services, Integrated Technical Services.

Sheasley described the sales process as “very professional, not pushy.” After receiving a fair proposal from Time Warner Cable Business Class, Triangle Orthopaedics worked with their Account Manager and together they mapped out a transition schedule. After migrating the main facility to the new fiber optic solution, the Time Warner Cable team then implemented the solution at each satellite facility — with all but one installation being completed ahead of schedule.

“Cost savings and improved speed were the deciding factors in our switch to Time Warner Cable Business Class,” Sheasley said. “The file sizes for digital imagery were increasing as resolutions improved; significantly slowing our connectivity through our T1. The fiber optic solution offered by Time Warner Cable solved that problem and, as an added benefit, was less expensive than the T1 service previously implemented.” Additionally, the secure Time Warner Cable fiber optic connection ensures that Triangle Orthopaedics continues to meet privacy policies stated within HIPAA requirements.

When asked if Triangle Orthopaedic Associates is pleased with Time Warner Cable Business Class service, Sheasley says, “Their solution meets our needs and the service is excellent. Time Warner Cable Business Class always responds quickly and takes action immediately.” In closing, Sheasley stated “We won in both ways… We have a better service at a lower cost.”