The javascript used on this site for creative design effects is not supported by your browser. Please note that this will not affect access to the content on this web site.
Skip Navigation
H H S Department of Health and Human Services
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Health Information Technology and Quality
Improvement

A-Z Index  |  Questions?  |  Order Publications  |  HRSA Mobile

What do I need for disaster/recovery planning?

As part of the system implementation, a health center needs to carefully assess disaster recovery and contingency planning. Things to consider include: the back-up of data, the recovery of data upon a server failure, and the length of time until access to the system is restored. Policies and procedures should be created to guide users on how work should be completed during a planned or unplanned system outage. In addition, a process needs to be established on how the system will be updated once it is back online.

Depending on the type of procurement model used, ASP vs. locally hosted, there may be additional considerations. For example, if an application is locally hosted, provisions will need to be made for redundant hardware, uninterrupted power supplies and data back-up. In either case, the health center should have a keen understanding of what will occur during an emergency, including how and when patient electronic records will be made available and what users should do during the system failure.

Related Resources:

Developed by the Health Resources and Services Administration as a resource for health centers and other safety net and ambulatory care providers who are seeking to implement health IT.
About
Health Information Technology Toolboxes help health centers, safety net providers, and ambulatory care providers with electronic and online resources and technical assistance to improve patient care.  More>
Stay Informed

Register for the HealthIT and Quality Improvement eNewsletter

Comments?
E-mail the HealthIT e-mail box: healthit@hrsa.gov