Cloud computing is one of the most important technological advances in recent history. Its impact on many industries, including healthcare, has been profound.
In this blog post, we will explore the ways cloud computing is impacting healthcare and discuss some of the benefits it brings to the table. We will also look at some of the challenges that come with implementing cloud-based solutions in this sector and offer some tips for doing so successfully.
The cloud can make computers more accessible, efficient, and scalable. For healthcare organizations, it is doing just that for a variety of tasks. We are going to look at three key areas where cloud computing is making a difference:
1) Electronic Medical Records (EMRs)
2) Telemedicine
3) Data Analytics & Big Data
Electronic Medical Records (EMRs)
The healthcare industry uses electronic medical records to keep track of patient information. Traditionally, healthcare institution stores these databases on their servers. This can be very inefficient for several reasons:
1) Organizations need to make server space available for these records.
2) They need to invest in servers and hire IT staff members who know how to maintain them.
3) The system might not meet requirements because of formatting issues or other technical limitations.
Thanks to cloud-based solutions, an organization can store these records online in an area they can easily access. Hospitals and other healthcare institutions can format the records according to their specifications and not be bound by the limitations of the local server.
Telemedicine
Telemedicine is the delivery of healthcare services through telecommunications technologies like videoconferencing, remote monitoring systems, and phone lines. This allows organizations to provide services to patients in their homes and at distant locations (in case of emergencies). The cloud makes this possible by making it easier for doctors and nurses to access patient files anywhere on any device.
Data Analytics & Big Data
In healthcare, data is a precious commodity. The volume of data is growing exponentially as our technological capabilities improve and more devices connect to the Internet. This creates new opportunities for analysis which is where cloud computing comes into play again. By storing patient information in servers APIs (application programming interfaces) can access, it is much easier to extract trends and patterns which can be extremely useful for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
However, as beneficial as cloud-based solutions are becoming in the healthcare industry, they are not without their challenges. To make successful implementations happen, you will need to keep these points in mind:
1) Data Security
Although security is an issue in many industries, it is particularly important in healthcare. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requires covered entities to take appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect patient information. This means that services like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform, which belong to the cloud computing category known as Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), are not HIPAA compliant. This is because they provide a virtual environment that is different from storing data onsite at your organization.
2) Training
Like any innovative technology, cloud computing can be confusing for employees who do not have the knowledge required to support it. A lack of understanding of the technology, security protocols, and other related rules can be harmful to an organization so proper training is key.
3) Implementation
Implementing cloud computing on a large scale in healthcare takes some planning because it involves several departments including IT, finance, legal, and medical staff members.
4) SLAs (Service Level Agreements)
SLAs are written agreements between you and your cloud computing service provider. They spell out security requirements, uptime, and other maintenance issues so that you both know the expectations of each party. This helps ensure smooth operations for your organization and provides a way to document the type of service you are receiving in case there are any disputes in the future.
5) HIPAA Compliance
Standard IaaS offerings from providers like Amazon Web Services are not HIPAA compliant. Therefore, healthcare organizations cannot use the services as it is. Instead, you can purchase one of their service offerings meant specifically for healthcare called HIPAA Eligible Services. These solutions include Amazon Work Docs, Amazon Workspaces, and AWS Storage Gateway, which provide the security required by HIPAA in addition to other compliance benefits like auditing and logging.
Conclusion:
The cloud is changing the way we interact with data in many industries, and healthcare is no exception. By making it easier for people to access files from anywhere, cloud computing solutions are improving patient care, research, and the overall healthcare experience. However, it is important to be sure the systems you are implementing are secure, educational for employees who need to use them, and easy to manage. By keeping these requirements in mind while planning your cloud implementation, you will set yourself up for success.
Get Started with Cloud Computing in Healthcare
Medical ITG’s knowledge and experience in the healthcare industry enables it to offer
HIPAA Compliant Cloud Services to fit a variety of implementations and offers a new way to work in or from the cloud. Also, it can help your practice using technology to run a more profitable, compliant, and competitive business. By outsourcing your
healthcare IT support to us, you will no longer have to worry about small IT problems or hear complaints from your staff about slow IT service. If you are ready to go with Medical ITG, contact us today!
