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 Center

The MPCA VirtualCHC Data Center is located in a US Signal carrier facility. It is a highly secure facility housing a number of telecommunications entities. This major communication facility provides redundant power, first utilizing battery backup and then a diesel generator. It has conditioned power and redundant climate control to ensure a stable environment for the highest performance of the equipment operating in this environment. It also has multi-layered physical security, including video surveillance (see below). The center is encircled by a SONET ring and has multiple internet connections to ensure continuous connectivity.
The VirtualCHC data center equipment is continually monitored and most operational anomalies are corrected automatically. Those requiring human intervention generate notifications to VirtualCHC staff that can respond quickly and make most corrections remotely. Of course, the VirtualCHC data center also has an appropriate fire suppression system. The combination of a very high quality carrier facility; excellent data center equipment, architecture and planning; and highly capable staff members has resulted in VirtualCHC exceeding its service level of 99.9% availability since it began operations in 2000.
The MPCA VirtualCHC data center has multiple levels of facility security including controlled entry using smartcards, visual surveillance (CCTV) and an alarm system. VirtualCHC’s data center also adds one more layer being in a locked caged area within this secure facility. In addition, police alarm response to this major communication facility is very rapid and substantial.

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 their local computers and peripherals (printers, scanners, etc); a local area network (LAN); a router with an appropriate firewall; and 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, Visio, 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.