Technology

MPCA VirtualCHC utilizes a variety of technologies to provide Community Health Centers (CHCs) with the capabilities and functionalities to operate efficiently and effectively in their provision of quality health care. VirtualCHC is an on-line hosted services provider. It delivers, via the internet, clinical, operational, business and quality improvement technologies not only to the CHC, but also, with the addition of wireless and telecommunications, virtually anywhere, be it home, hospital, care facility, or school, the software applications and tools needed for effective high quality care and efficient operations.

Data Centers

Grand Rapids
Located within a US Signal carrier facility with direct access to OC 192 fiber optic cable that is wired into the backbone of the internet, providing the highest quality signal for on-line hosting.  The facility is a major communication facility with redundant feeds to the Internet; multiple levels of security; redundant climate control systems; conditioned power; diesel generated backup power; and abundant bandwidth.  It is fully prepared to not only continue to provide a very high service level to its present customers, but it is also positioned to respond quickly to meet the needs of our growing customer base.  This state-of-the-art facility is a SAS 70 compliant facility as of September 30, 2010.  US Signal management and their Director of Network Operations maintain a written disaster recovery plan addressing the course of action that will be taken in the event of a natural disaster, fire or an unplanned interruption of critical business functions.  Additionally, a security review was performed in July of 2009 and the Grand Rapids Data center along with MPCA office, which resulted in a very favorable rating.

Holt/MPHI
 January 1, 2010 we added a second data center located in Holt, Michigan and maintained by Michigan Public Health Institute.  It is located in a technology park with robust infrastructure.  MPHI’s Data Center is a state-of-the-art facility designed to house modern servers and network infrastructure.  It is designed to handling current and future high-density systems. It is protected by an inert gas fire suppression system and 2 hour fire walls.  It is secured with secure access proximity cards, video surveillance and a 24X7 remotely monitored fire detection and security system.  The datacenter has fully developed disaster recovery and business continuity plans.  The datacenter has a 600 kW CAT diesel generator on site with more than 24 hours of fuel and a priority refueling with a local supplier.

Convenience, Performance & Security

Convenience
VirtualCHC services are designed to provide convenient, reliable access to software applications. All that is required of the health center is:

• computers and peripherals (printers, scanners, etc)
• a local area network (LAN)
• a router with an appropriate firewall
• reliable access to high-speed internet

Except for some limited on-site to maintain the LAN, peripherals and local security responsibilities, all other hardware, software, personnel, IT operational and security services are provided by VirtualCHC. Practice management and EHR systems; accounting systems; Microsoft Exchange, e-mail, virus and spam protection; Office, custom analytical capabilities; registries; etc. can flow from VirtualCHC into your practice environment with the click of a mouse and a security log-on. VirtualCHC provides a wide variety of carefully selected software that meets Community Health Centers’ unique requirements.

Performance & Security
VirtualCHC delivers best-in-class software at your fingertips 24/7, guaranteeing 99% availability (access to software) by contract – a higher performance than typically provided by on-site IT departments. Utilizing thin client technology and maintenance of quality equipment in a climate-controlled, power-conditioned environment provides the highest quality performance of the software. In addition, equipment is upgraded on schedule to minimize failure and maximize performance. Beyond this, VirtualCHC operations are monitored continuously; upgrades and patches are installed as required and backups are performed to schedule with secure off-site climate-controlled storage to assure retention and security of data.