8 Signs Your Medical Practice Needs a New Phone System

Some clinic owners have become so comfortable with their old phone systems that they haven't even thought about upgrading them.

Modern medical practices upgrade their communication systems on a regular basis to stay current with technology. You're likely missing out on some key benefits if your practice doesn't have the latest phone system. You're also extremely vulnerable to the newest cyber threats.

Why Your Medical Practice Needs a New Phone System 

Maintaining smooth communication between patients and staff is crucial for medical practices. If a phone system is out of date, it can cause a lot of problems in the office. 

Some medical practices may not be able to handle all the calls they receive, or they may lack a good communication system. This can lead to delays in care and frustration for patients and staff.

Additionally, doctors must maintain the highest level of security for their patients. Older telephone systems may not be able to support the latest encryption technology that could protect your practice from cyber threats.

Would You Benefit From Switching to a Cloud-Based Phone System?

Cloud-based phone systems are an excellent solution for medical practices as they provide the benefits of a traditional system with many additional features. 

For example, cloud-based systems can be accessed anywhere and from any device. They also offer more security than traditional phone systems and have lower costs.

Check out the next section and determine if one or more of these signs makes it necessary to switch to cloud telephony.

8 Signs It’s Time to Switch to a Cloud-Based Phone System

Any organization that regularly relies on a phone system to communicate with clients or employees knows how important it is to have a reliable communications infrastructure. But what happens when your phone system starts to show its age? 

Here are eight signs you need to let go of your old-fashioned phone system and switch to a modern cloud phone solution: 

Your Phone System Is More Than 10 Years Old

You are already at a disadvantage when it comes to efficiency if your phone system is just a few years old, let alone ten years old! 

Manufacturers no longer support telephone systems older than a decade. As a result, they’re becoming increasingly difficult and expensive to maintain. 

Your Patients Are Constantly Complaining About Your Communication Process

You may not even realize how bad it is until you step back and look at the big picture. 

A new phone system can go a long way in improving the patient experience. A good system will allow your patients to connect with you without any difficulty.

There are a number of different phone systems out there, so it's important to do your research and find the right one for your practice. The right system will help improve communication and make your patients happier.

You could still go with a conventional phone system, but that would require a lot of maintenance and wouldn't be very efficient. A better option would be to switch to a cloud-hosted phone solution. 

Since it’s hosted in the cloud, it can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. It can also help you manage your calls more efficiently and provide a better patient experience.

You’re Spending Too Much Money on Your Current Phone System

If you're like most medical practices, you’re weary of high capital expenses for on-premises equipment. The cost can add up quickly between the servers, phones, and licenses. And that's before you factor in the time and manpower required to set everything up and maintain it.

But there's good news: a cloud-based phone solution can save you more money without sacrificing features or reliability.

This makes it more affordable because you don't need to purchase and maintain expensive hardware and software. Plus, updates and maintenance are taken care of by the provider, so you don't have to worry about them.

Some cloud phones are hosted by a trusted third-party IT service provider who monitors the tools' reliability and connectivity on your behalf.

And since they're subscription-based, there are no long-term commitments or capital expenses. You can even enjoy perks like unlimited dialing within the United States and Canada.

You Have Frequent Dropped Calls or Other Call Quality Issues

Dropped calls, echoes, and other problems can be frustrating for both patients and staff. When your patients are on the phone, they're not just leaving you a message. They need to either get information about their health or refill a prescription.

We need to do everything we can to make them feel like they’re speaking with a professional caretaker and not merely someone on the other end of a phone call. 

In a demanding field like medicine, your technology must always function at its best. If you're experiencing occasional lag in call reception or dropped calls, it can lead to mistakes that can seriously impact patient care.

A cloud-based communication system can help resolve these issues. With a cloud phone solution, your calls are routed through the internet, reducing the likelihood of broken connections and other troubles.

You’re Not Getting the Features You Need From Your Current System

When considering a new phone system, choose one that will grow with your practice. It should have the ability to add users and extensions as needed.

A cloud-based phone system also offers many features that are perfect for medical practices, including call recording, voicemail to email, and secure remote access. Best of all, cloud-hosted phone systems are incredibly easy to install and use.

You Can’t Integrate Your Phone System With Other Technologies

This can be a significant issue for organizations looking to move to the cloud, as they will not be able to take advantage of all of its benefits.

Fortunately, there are ways to work around this issue. One option is to use a cloud-hosted phone system, which will allow you to connect your phones to the cloud. 

This is a great option for healthcare facilities looking for a more cost-effective way to connect their phones with other technologies, like their EHR. 

You Need to Increase Capacity But Don't Have the Space

Telephone systems are a vital part of any healthcare facility, but when your practice begins to grow and your on-premises equipment can't handle the added capacity, what do you do? One option is to move to the cloud. 

Cloud-based telephone systems can help you increase your capacity without having to purchase more on-premises equipment. With a cloud system, you simply add more phone lines as needed, and you can also add new users very easily. 

If your medical practice is looking for a way to increase capacity without taking up more office space, a cloud-based telephone system may be the perfect solution.

You Struggle to Manage Phone Systems in More Than One Location

You may be managing phone systems in more than one location. This can be a real challenge, especially if you’re not experienced in managing them.

Even IT professionals have to deal with the frustration and time-consuming process of managing phone networks in more than one location. With heavy investments in hardware, it may cost more for your practice to maintain a phone system.

You can't expand your practice when you can't reach more patients because your phone system is outdated. So your business grows slowly, and you lack the ability to generate the returns you deserve.

A cloud phone system will help you achieve the goals you are aiming for much faster while costing less. You can manage phone systems on one platform and avoid constant operational or technological struggles. 

Cloud technology will ensure that all your locations will be interconnected. You will also have access to powerful features that can help you manage your phone system more effectively.

Switch to a Cost-Effective Phone System Built for Your Practice

Ransomware and data breaches have hit clinics because of old infrastructure and inadequate security. Your communication system is the lifeline of your business, and if it’s still dependent on technology from the 1990s, it's bound to be vulnerable to attack.

Medical professionals need a telephony environment that can keep up with the high volume of patients. Unfortunately, conventional phone systems have expensive monthly bills, and the hardware is always at risk of breaking down.

We can provide a cloud-based phone system built for the needs of healthcare practices like yours, giving you a reliable and resilient solution at an affordable cost. 

But it doesn't end there. You'll also have access to 24/7 unlimited support, so any concerns can be resolved right away!

You deserve unparalleled customer service & support, best in class technology (and security), competitive monthly billing rates, and much more. Schedule a call today so we can get you started.