Caste Study: Northeast Cardiology

Background
Since 1975, Northeast Cardiology Associates (NECA) has provided Maine physicians and their patients with proactive heart-related diagnosis and treatment options through the use of a patient-focused, team-oriented approach. As cardiologists, NECA physicians have trained for many years to diagnose and treat a full range of cardiovascular disorders. Through a commitment to excellence in patient care, open communication, and a team approach with the patient, primary care physician and Cardiovascular Surgery group, NECA delivers first-class, round-the-clock cardiac care.

To maintain a continuous flow of patient medical information with its many partners, NECA relies on Mid-Maine Communications. As with any healthcare organization, critical patient data, reports and images must be accessible at a moments notice. Without a solid network infrastructure supporting the organization, the speed which doctors can retrieve information can be hampered, potentially jeopardizing patient’s safety.

In 2003, NECA consolidated its operations and combined three disparate locations into a brand new, state of the art diagnostic facility in Bangor, Maine. The opportunity to deliver better service and convenience to its customers also required NECA to carefully consider its current and future communications needs.

Moving day
NECA had already been working with Mid-Maine Communications for several years when David McDonald, Director of Information Services approached Chris Lander, the Mid-Maine Account Manager about the relocation plans. “The less down time that occurs during the move, the less impact it will have on patient care. Chris and I worked together to make sure that we had a well thought out plan. Mid-Maine played an important role in everything from our new network configuration to the way the services were brought into the business park.”

Prior to the move, NECA moved from an older network based on Frame Relay technology to Mid-Maine Communication’s SiteLink IP network. Because of the fully meshed topology of SiteLink IP, Mid-Maine was able to pre-install and troubleshoot the new network connection making sure that it was operating smoothly and ready for the pending move. When it was time to shut down the network and move locations, Information Services simply unplugged the equipment, moved it to the new office and plugged it back in. The network, which supports 130 employees, was up and running again within a few hours.

Flexible Connections
Today, NECA uses a combination of technologies to maintain its data and communications network. Voice services, both local and long distance, are provided through copper lines, while data communications occurs between its Bangor and Waterville locations as well as EMHS, through a mix of T1 and DSL lines. All of this is managed seamlessly by Mid-Maine Communications in both billing and support. The flexibility of SiteLink IP allows NECA to mix and match technologies while providing uninterrupted communication between physicians and staff.

“Mid-Maine worked with me to find the right mix of services to fit our needs.  During the process I felt that they had our best interest in mind,” says David McDonald.

Mid-Maine has also removed the problems associated with billing and accounting for multi-line, multiple location operations. By condensing and delivering bills in electronic format on CD, reconciliations occur much faster and distribution through the appropriate departments also has become more efficient. NECA has enjoyed the service from Mid-Maine so much that they have proposed that their other vendors and partners consider it as well.

Conclusion
After making the switch, Mid-Maine Communications and its SiteLink IP network delivered better throughput and more stability for NECA. Because there is no additional hardware to install, costs are lower and the potential for problems based on incompatibility and component failure is greatly reduced. Further, because the reach of Mid-Maine’s proprietary fiber network encompasses much of NECA’s service area, communications costs have also been dramatically reduced.

From a business perspective, NECA is pleased to be able to work with a local vendor that reinvests back into the state of Maine. Technically, David McDonald enjoys working with Mid-Maine Communications and the collaborative approach to troubleshooting they employ.