A .PDF version of this Case Study can be accessed HERE.
As health care organizations continue to modernize operations, the need for agile, secure and cost-effective IT infrastructure is paramount, especially for smaller and rural hospitals. For Wayne County Hospital, the transition away from a long-standing, increasingly problematic IT outsourcing agreement required not only technical guidance but a trusted partner to ensure strategic success, legal protection and operational continuity. Hall Render Advisory Services, a subsidiary of the Hall Render law firm, provided the experienced insight and leadership Wayne County Hospital needed to navigate this complex transition and position the organization for long-term technological growth.
The Story of Wayne County Hospital
Located in rural Kentucky, Wayne County Hospital has long been committed to serving the health care needs of its community. As technology became an essential driver of operational efficiency, patient care and cybersecurity, the hospital recognized the need to take greater control of its internal IT environment. Their leadership team made the strategic decision to exit an outdated and increasingly expensive IT outsourcing contract and build a modern, in-house IT model that aligned with their future goals.
The Challenge: Exiting an IT Contract and Building a Modern IT Roadmap
The hospital’s prior IT services agreement had become more of a burden than a benefit. The relationship with the vendor had grown costly and restrictive, with minimal flexibility and rising operational concerns. As Wayne County Hospital leadership worked to terminate the contract, they also faced the challenge of ensuring that their new internal IT support model would not expose the organization to compliance risks, cybersecurity vulnerabilities or service interruptions.
“It was critical that we didn’t overlook any details in such a high-stakes transition,” said Joe Murrell, Chief Executive Officer of Wayne County Hospital. “We needed a partner that could help us exit the agreement cleanly and establish a new, secure and legally sound IT strategy.”
How Hall Render Advisory Services Responded
As an existing legal client of Hall Render, Wayne County Hospital was introduced to Hall Render Advisory Services through their primary attorney. With an established foundation of trust, the hospital engaged Hall Render Advisory Services to guide the full lifecycle of the transition. Advisor Mike Latcha led the engagement, providing:
- Strategic oversite with local IT Director and Administration to ensure that the transition met stated goals and cybersecurity safeguards;
- A tailored IT technology roadmap to support long-term internal IT development and investment planning;
- Contract review and risk assessment for all technical agreements; and
- Operational support to help the hospital build sustainable internal processes.
“Through regular monthly meetings—and sometimes more frequently—we were able to stay on track from both a legal and IT standpoint. Hall Render Advisory Services acted as another set of eyes to assure my Board that the hospital was transitioning with minimal risk and maximum beneft,” Murrell noted. “They made sure we avoided common pitfalls around copyright, cybersecurity and compliance.”
The Results
Over the course of the year-and-a-half engagement, Wayne County Hospital successfully and securely exited its prior IT outsourcing contract. With support from Hall Render Advisory Services, the hospital transitioned to an internal IT support model that gave them better control over operations, cost and strategic planning.
“Our goals were fully met, and we now have a model in place that better serves our needs,” said Murrell. “Hall Render Advisory Services was instrumental in making sure nothing slipped through the cracks, especially in an IT environment that’s more complex and risky than ever.”
A Lasting Partnership for Continued Success
While the formal engagement concluded after the transition, Wayne County Hospital continues to work closely with Hall Render for legal counsel and knows Hall Render Advisory Services remains a trusted and readily available resource for future technology initiatives.
“Having access to both legal and technical guidance through one team is a real advantage,” Murrell said. “We’re confident that if new challenges arise, Hall Render Advisory Services will be ready to support us.”
About Hall Render Advisory Services
Hall Render Advisory Services provides IT strategy, cybersecurity guidance and operational improvement support to health care organizations nationwide. With a team of experienced advisors, we help hospitals and health care providers align their IT systems with business objectives to enhance efficiency, security and patient care. To learn more about Hall Render Advisory Services and how our team of advisors can assist your organization, visit hallrenderAS.com.
If your health care organization is looking for experienced guidance in IT strategic planning and cybersecurity, contact:
- Michael Latcha at mlatcha@hallrenderas.com or (269) 207-6382; or
- Your primary Hall Render Advisory Services contact.
Hall Render and Hall Render Advisory Services blog posts and articles are intended for informational purposes only. For ethical reasons, Hall Render attorneys cannot—outside of an attorney-client relationship—answer specific questions that would be legal advice.