Better care, enhanced security: How AI tools are reshaping healthcare
When an Ontario-based health network needed to upgrade its digital capabilities and security, it turned to Microsoft to fill gaps that internal resources couldn’t cover. This partnership provided access to tools, training, and implementation that transformed how the organization delivers patient care.
“We rely heavily on having access to our digital assets and patient information,” says Purvi Desai, Vice President of Digital Health and Chief Information Officer at Mackenzie Health, a two-hospital health network located in Richmond Hill and Vaughan, Ontario.
Desai’s comment reflects an industry-wide issue. Digital tools and cybersecurity have taken a central role in healthcare in recent years. This shift has prompted many providers, including Mackenzie Health, to invest heavily in creating reliable digital ecosystems that support clinical care delivery and connect clinicians, physicians, staff, and volunteers.
As that reliance on digital solutions increases, however, so does the necessity of a full cybersecurity program—something that Mackenzie Health’s internal team lacked the resources or expertise to manage on its own. So the health network leaned into its partnership with Microsoft to establish a foundation for its digital program and cybersecurity that would meet the organization’s needs today while evolving with it in the future.
Building a digital ecosystem that can go the distance
The transition started with migrating to Microsoft 365, then learning more about how the Microsoft suite of cybersecurity tools protects the network’s environment and digital assets.
“Our relationship with Microsoft really played a key role in establishing our foundation for cybersecurity,” says Desai. “Microsoft not only ensured we understood how the toolset would fit in our environment, but helped us implement those tools [and] ensure that we could operate them effectively [and] build that internal expertise as well.”
That early support from Microsoft allowed Mackenzie Health to build out its digital evolution strategy over a number of years and accelerate its transition to a broader suite of cybersecurity tools. It also allowed the network to improve patient care and streamline operations, particularly with the introduction of AI-powered solutions.
Enhancing day-to-day hospital operations with accessible tools and apps
On the administrative side, leveraging Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Teams improved connection and collaboration across the organization, allowing Mackenzie Health to quickly pivot to a more virtual environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those tools remain essential today as healthcare is delivered in a multi-sided environment that includes both in-person and virtual services. Automations such as voice recognition technology reduce the time spent on clinical documentation, while ensuring patient charts are as comprehensive as possible.
Another big leap forward was in leveraging Power Apps to create custom solutions that integrate seamlessly into Mackenzie Health’s digital ecosystem. With these no-code tools, the network was able to create an on-call physician scheduling application within its electronic medical record, then introduce a secure messaging platform to improve communication within the care team.
Developing the flexibility to meet future needs
As new challenges present themselves, Microsoft tools will be key in extending and maturing Mackenzie Health’s digital ecosystem so it continues to support and streamline administrative functions at the hospital.
“We’re excited about the opportunities that are presenting themselves with Copilot and the full Microsoft 365 suite,” says Desai. “We will continue to collaborate and partner strongly with Microsoft.”
- Explore how to streamline collaboration in healthcare with Microsoft Teams, improving connection and efficiency to support both in-person and virtual care.
- Learn how to transform your operations with Power Apps by building custom, no-code solutions that integrate seamlessly into your existing systems.
- Discover the power of Security in Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, combining built-in protections and shared responsibility for stronger defense.
