Kalispell Regional Medical Center implemented Cisco Unified Computing System to consolidate its computing network and storage, improving patient care and lowering costs. The new system improved system access performance, ensured continuous uptime of electronic medical records, and substantially boosted overall network performance. It also improved server scalability, solved space and expenditure issues, and lowered total cost of ownership. The implementation established Kalispell as the first major U.S. healthcare provider to use Cisco UCS and could serve as a national model.
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Getting Ahead of Demand
Overall, adopting Cisco UCS supports KRMC’s goal of moving to a hyper-visor based virtualized IT model that
leverages products such as VMware. With the UCS implementation, KRMC’s expects to virtualize 90% of its
infrastructure within a year.
The result is that for the first time, KRMC’s IT department can easily meet demand for server capacity and create
a cushion to accommodate future growth. “Our goal is to always be ahead of demand or at least six months in
front of the organization. Cisco UCS allows us to reach that goal,” Pape says.
National Showcase
Getting ahead of demand — indeed, getting ahead in general — remains the overall objective for the entire medical
center, from the IT department outward. “There are dynamic changes in healthcare all the time,” Pape acknowledges.
“IT needs to keep up and be the enabler for change. My inherent goal is to improve the delivery of patient care
while driving the bottom line through technology.”
With its stated mission of “Exceptional Technology,” Kalispell is an ideal place for a forward-looking project like
running its MEDITECH software solution on Cisco UCS. As the U.S. moves toward mandatory electronic records
access for all patients, and hospitals struggle to find ways to deliver care on leaner budgets, Kalispell’s innovative
system could provide a blueprint for the nation — as well as greater service to the community.
“We are always focused on delivering better care and achieving a higher level of patient outcomes,” Pape says.
“All our technology should be in the service of improving efficiencies and demonstrating value for patients and
providers. Moving to Cisco UCS allows us to anticipate six months ahead of the organization and have enough
computing on hand to support almost anything coming down the road.”
For More Information
Visit our sites to learn more about Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) and its industry awards.
Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS):
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps10265/index.html
Industry awards:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/ps10265/industry_benchmarks.html#~industry_recognition
“Our goal is to always be ahead of demand or at least six months in front of the
organization. Cisco UCS allows us to reach that goal.”
— David Pape, Interim Director of IT, Kalispell Regional Medical Center