Case Study: EPIC Management achieves a secure, HIPAA-compliant wireless EMR rollout with Cisco Meraki

To keep an EMR system running a robust, secure network is a must. See how Epic did it

EPIC Management, L.P., the healthcare IT provider supporting over 275 physicians and 150,000 patients (including Beaver Medical Group’s 170+ physicians), needed a secure, robust wireless network to support a multi-million dollar EMR rollout using GE Centricity tablets. Their legacy 802.11b/g system lacked a central controller, proper encryption, and reliable coverage across 20 facilities, so EPIC evaluated solutions and selected Cisco Meraki—deploying Meraki 802.11n access points and the Meraki Cloud Controller—to meet HIPAA security, guest isolation, and manageability requirements.

Working with reseller Novacoast, EPIC ran a proof-of-concept (27 APs installed in two after-hours sessions) and then purchased an additional 93 APs for a total of 120 to cover all 20 locations. Cisco Meraki’s solution delivered rapid deployment, reliable roaming coverage, and security features (802.1X RADIUS, VLAN tagging, virtual guest isolation), plus remote management via the Meraki dashboard so a single help desk could handle most issues. The result was a HIPAA-compliant, easily managed wireless infrastructure that supports the EMR tablets, enables overnight site rollouts, and reduced operational overhead for EPIC.

EPIC Management

Marshall Veerkamp

Senior VP and CIO