How Franciscan Health is Using Silk to Revolutionize Patient Care

Franciscan Health, a 12-hospital system serving communities from Indianapolis to Chicago, is leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance its operations and patient care. Known for its commitment to innovation, Franciscan has embraced telemedicine, virtual care, and advanced analytics to better serve patients wherever they are. Central to this transformation is its strategic partnership with Silk, whose software-defined cloud storage platform has enabled Franciscan to optimize its data infrastructure.

Transforming Healthcare Through the Cloud

A significant milestone in Franciscan Health’s journey was the migration of its electronic medical records (EMR) system to the cloud. This move allowed the health system to position its data adjacent to a new data lakehouse, enabling deeper analytics and streamlined data integration. However, such advancements bring new challenges, particularly around managing the costs and complexity of cloud storage and compute.

To address these challenges, Franciscan adopted Silk’s software-defined cloud storage platform. Initially met with some skepticism about cloud-based solutions, Franciscan’s leadership team ultimately recognized Silk’s ability to deliver secure, high-performance storage tailored to their unique needs. Silk’s safety measures and innovative replication capabilities gave the health system confidence to integrate the platform into its operations.

Enhancing Efficiency and Reducing Costs

One of the most significant benefits of Silk’s technology has been its impact on data management and disaster recovery. Tasks that previously required up to 24 hours—such as restoring large databases—can now be completed within hours, minimizing downtime and ensuring critical patient data remains accessible.

In addition to improving operational efficiency, Silk’s platform has driven substantial cost savings for Franciscan. By optimizing storage utilization, the health system has reduced its annual storage costs by an estimated $200,000. These savings are enabling Franciscan to reinvest in other areas of patient care and innovation.

Preparing for the AI-Powered Future

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming healthcare, and Franciscan is preparing to harness its potential. Large language models (LLMs) and similar AI tools require vast amounts of storage and computational power, presenting a significant challenge for many organizations. Silk’s platform allows Franciscan to create nearly cost-free data replicas, empowering the health system to explore AI-driven initiatives without excessive financial strain.

This capability positions Franciscan to leverage AI for improved decision-making and advanced patient care, opening new possibilities for how healthcare is delivered.

A Collaborative Approach

The partnership between Franciscan Health and Silk underscores the importance of collaboration in overcoming technological challenges. Silk’s ability to tailor its solutions to Franciscan’s needs has been instrumental in enabling the health system’s digital transformation.