At the beginning of the technology takeover in different industries, the healthcare industry seemed like it had been left behind. However, as the years progressed, technology in healthcare is sweeping the industry by storm. One of the innovations that are revolutionizing healthcare is cloud technology. The need for robust cybersecurity in the storage and access of patients’ private information is the biggest motivator.
Different governments and industry regulators have developed standards and policies to ensure that organizations take it upon themselves to protect private information from hackers and attackers. Some of the laws related to healthcare include the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH), the Safe Harbor Bill, among other regulations. It is best to learn if these laws affect your area of practice and ensure that your staff has enough training to ensure proper compliance and implementation of these laws.
Patient health information privacy is paramount. As a result, cloud technology has become the savior of many medical facilities. With that said, below are some of the ways in how the cloud has transformed the healthcare industry:
Interoperability
Interoperability refers to integrating data in healthcare systems regardless of where it’s stored or its point of origin. Cloud technology is mainly used to power interoperability, making patient information available for distribution. Distributed computing of healthcare information helps get data insights for planning and service delivery.
Cloud computing is the lifeline that healthcare providers use to access collated patient information and share it with different stakeholders. As a result, they can provide timely treatment protocols and prescriptions. Moreover, the ease of access to patient information by specialists worldwide helps reduce time wastage. For instance, doctors can share patients’ scan photographs with other specialists and get treatment recommendations from their colleagues in a snap of a finger.
Furthermore, cloud technology boosts interoperability across the different sectors of the healthcare industry, such as insurance, pharmaceuticals, and payments in a healthcare facility. As a result, there is a seamless movement of patient data from one stakeholder to another, facilitating quick service delivery and efficiency.
High Powered Analytics
The healthcare industry relies heavily on both structured and unstructured data. Patients’ information can be collected from various sources, collated, and then computed on the cloud. Medical research using healthcare data has been possible by adopting highly powerful artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms and big data analytics. All this information is stored in the cloud for ease of analysis, for the cloud offers advanced computing capability by processing large datasets.
Thorough analytics of patients’ information helps give personalized healthcare at an individual level. Moreover, every data concerning a patient is kept on record, easily facilitating patient history for better treatment.
Robust Patient Information Security
Cyberattacks are a threat to patient information. A leak of your patient data that results in exposure of their ailment information is a breach of their privacy. As a result, there is a need for a robust cybersecurity protocol to protect sensitive patient data. One strategy that has found acceptance in the healthcare industry is the hybrid cloud environment. It’s a combination of private and public clouds for better security, compliance, and flexibility.
When you’re looking for a cloud service provider, you can choose one that complies with the set policies in your country or state. Most of the cloud vendors today offer systems that are already HIPAA compliant. Therefore, you don’t need to invest heavily in cloud services and seek extra services for cybersecurity. Instead, your service provider should give you both as a package.
Lower Data Storage Costs
Getting data storage services from a reputable cloud service provider can cost you a fraction of what you can spend if you establish one in your healthcare facility. In addition, cloud technology is scalable. As your need for storage space increases, you can always get more. On top of that, you can save the money you would use in paying in-house technical staff, for technology upgrades, and buying licenses. Efficiency and productivity are boosted when experts are doing the work for you.
Telemedicine Capabilities
Doctors and industry players can easily access patient information remotely with cloud computing technology. Therefore, several healthcare functions like telemedicine, virtual medication adherence, and post-hospitalization healthcare plans have become possible. In addition, home-based care is possible since a patient’s information can easily be accessed at the patient’s home with any device.
On top of that, convenience in service delivery is enhanced through the telemedicine website and apps which boosts customer experience. In summary, cloud-powered telehealth systems and apps provide faster sharing of information, improve accessibility, and large-scale coverage of patients during patients’ treatment and recovery stages. Patients can still enjoy high-quality healthcare in the comforts and convenience of their homes.
Wrapping Up
Cloud computing is a game-changer in the healthcare industry. As highlighted in the article, you can use this technology to enhance service delivery through interoperability, better cybersecurity, levels up data analytics, lowers operational costs, and facilitates telemedicine services.
That said, if you’re still contemplating if you should adopt the technology, this article outlines how you can transform your facility with the support of the cloud.