How to Set Up IT Infrastructure for a New Medical Clinic in Singapore
Quick Summary
Internet & Redundancy: Secure business–grade fibre broadband with LTE backup (Singtel, StarHub).
Network & Security: VLAN–segmented firewall, managed switches, and 24/7 cybersecurity monitoring.
Devices: Clinic–grade workstations, tablets, printers, with remote management and EDR protection.
Data Backup: Daily encrypted cloud + off‑site backups, quarterly restore testing, <24‑hour Recovery Time Objective.
Compliance: MFA, encrypted EMR access, audit logging, and PDPA alignment.
What You’ll Need — Step-by-Step Guide
1. Internet & Network Planning
Order business fibre 3–6 weeks in advance (Singtel, StarHub).
Install failover LTE on a secondary router.
Design a network diagram with staff, patient, and EMR zones.
Use VLANs—ensure treatment-room devices communicate securely without exposing guest Wi‑Fi.
“In one GP setup, heat‑mapping showed a dead zone in the X‑ray room—easily fixed by relocating an access point 1.5 m higher.”
2. Firewall & Wi‑Fi Infrastructure
Deploy mid‑range firewalls (Sophos, Fortinet) with IDS and VPN support.
Use POE–managed switches to distribute secure Wi‑Fi.
Ensure separate SSIDs: “Staff_EMR” and “Guest_WiFi”.
Heat‑map coverage for common areas, treatment zones, and waiting rooms.
3. Device Deployment & Endpoint Security
Roll out clinic PCs/tablets with Win10/11 Pro and Group Policy lockdown.
Apply remote patching plus Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR).
Secure printers/copiers with network authentication and access controls.
Use a password manager and enforce complexity + quarterly device health checks.
4. Backup & Disaster Recovery
Set up automated daily backups—encrypted locally and in the cloud.
Use immutable storage to guard against ransomware.
Test restores quarterly; log success/failure.
Aim for <24‑hour Recovery Time Objective (RTO) to minimize clinic disruption.
5. EMR Readiness & Compliance
Support EMRs like Plato or EzEMRx via secure VPN or cloud.
Implement MFA, encrypted channels, and session timeouts.
Enable audit logs for access tracking and recovery.
Train staff on cyber hygiene and PDPA, and link to policies.
Cost Breakdown for Budgeting
📌 One-time setup: $8,000–25,000
📌 Ongoing: $80–180/user/month
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Delaying fibre and cabling until late.
Using shared Wi‑Fi for EMR access.
Skipping endpoint EDR.
Relying only on local backups.
Overlooking patch management.
Ignoring MFA or audit logging in EMR.
Not heat‑mapping Wi‑Fi in key zones.
Clinic IT Setup Timeline & Checklist
FAQs
Q: How long does fibre installation take?
A: 3–6 weeks, depending on location and scheduling—book early.
Q: Will my EMR work during internet downtime?
A: Use a local failover system or cached access and LTE backup to maintain uptime.
Q: Can I handle backup myself?
A: Fully managed, encrypted off-site backups with quarterly drills are best to ensure integrity.
Why This Matters
Protects patient privacy with PDPA compliant systems.
Reduces downtime and improves staff efficiency.
Minimizes compliance risk ahead of inspections.
Provides room to scale to future clinics without redoing setup.
7. Your Next Step
“We’ve set up 10+ clinics in Singapore - our turnkey IT infrastructure service handles everything from fibre to failover systems, so clinically you’ll be ready to see patients on Day 1.”
👉 Book a free Clinic IT Planning Call
