Cloud Adoption Is Big News For The Healthcare Industry

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When it comes to global tech trends, you don’t get much bigger than cloud computing. Virtually every single industry across the globe has adopted cloud computing in one way or another and the healthcare community is fast cottoning on to this ever-developing trend. Gone are the days of filing cabinets full of paperwork and massive on-site servers, business is moving to the cloud because it is cheaper, more efficient and more secure.

At Healthcare Global we have addressed some of the main concerns when it comes to moving healthcare infrastructure to the cloud. Executed properly, cloud computing could see the healthcare industry move at a much quicker rate than it does currently in terms of patient communication, prescriptions, research and development, manufacturing and more.

Patient Confidentiality

Patient confidentiality is paramount and is central to proper medical practice. As such, security of medical notes and records is vital. The healthcare industry as a whole has shied away from cloud storage for fear of losing such personal data, however there are many companies out there now who can protect your data as securely as if it were locked in a filing cabinet – safer in fact. Cloud storage is also extremely beneficial insofar as information is stored offsite; should there be a fire or disaster all medical records will still be accessible. Hospitals who want to use cloud computing must adhere to the HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), meaning that data is secure and protected against external threats.

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Keeping Cost Down

The pharmaceutical, medical and healthcare industry is the same as any other insofar as it needs to make money and subsequently it needs to keep its operating costs to a minimum. Storing data on the cloud is, on average, ten times cheaper than buying additional server space when you include the cost of having trained professionals on site to manage them. Furthermore, cloud computing storage can be easily adapted to the need of the client, meaning that it is a lean and efficient way of storing and accessing data. There are many cloud providers that specialise in the healthcare industry, so it is well advised to shop around and build a solution that works for specific needs and requirements.

Ease Of Sharing

Getting access to hospital or pharma systems is prohibited unless permitted by the doctor or manager in charge; this is owing to the fact that a lot of information is confidential and sensitive. However, having said this, transparency in the healthcare industry is also becoming increasingly important and the cloud allows different users login access to designated information from remote locations. For instance, physicians who are out of the country can give patients access to information without them having to physically attend the clinic. Conversely, patients can share symptoms with their doctor instantly, helping to diagnose problems quicker.  

Data Security

With any form of technology and data storage comes the need for backup, archiving and updates. Cloud computing applications can perform these tasks without causing any downtime and possible data loss in real time. This matches the efficiency requirement of hospitals, research and development centers and manufacturing plants to run and access their networks 24/7.

mHealth

Unlike intranet-based systems often utilized in hospitals, R&D centers and manufacturing facilities, which are mostly desktop-dependent, cloud computing systems offer convenience and mobility to its users. The cloud structure allows both healthcare professionals and authorized patients to access important files and data on a smartphone, tablet and other mobile gadgets without requiring special permissions and settings.

The world is fast changing. At the heart of this change are cloud technologies that are being widely and quickly accepted by professionals and institutions within the healthcare industry. Cloud computing is changing the way medical and healthcare professionals operate on a day-to-day basis; it is providing them with access to information quickly, efficiently and securely and importantly allows them to share that information with peers. Cloud computing is speeding up delivery and cutting cost and could also catalyse faster research and development across the globe. After all information is power.