Healthcare providers and organizations need a safe and reliable location to store their data. As a result, many of these organizations have already begun outsourcing their data management to cloud services providers. However, some companies remain hesitant to use cloud computing services due to their uncertainty over its safety.
Not only is cloud computing one of the safest storage options available for healthcare providers, but it can also drastically improve interoperability in healthcare settings. Iron Bridge breaks down the top 6 benefits that cloud computing offers in our latest article.
6 Benefits of Storing Healthcare Information in the Cloud
Cloud Solutions Can Improve Interoperability in Healthcare in Numerous Ways
Traditionally, organizations stored data on a computer or server that could only be accessed at a specific location. This usually meant that organizations had to use an in-house team to manage their data.
With the cloud, users can now access programs and information through the internet. This allows people to work with data no matter where their location is at the moment. All of this data can also be stored and backed up in the cloud.
The switch to cloud-based storage platforms has already helped hundreds of healthcare companies innovate their current practices. Here’s how.
1. Reduction in Costs
On-site data centers tend to be more expensive than cloud storage services due to the upfront cost of their hardware as well as the ongoing maintenance that the equipment will require. Cloud solution vendors can take the worry out of maintaining your own datasets off your hands. Most vendors will handle the construction and management of your cloud infrastructure, thus reducing your upfront costs and allowing you to refocus your attention back to patient care.
2. Efficient Storage for Electronic Medical Records
Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, hospitals and healthcare facilities must demonstrate meaningful use of electronic health records when storing patient information. This act is designed to improve the quality and safety of patient data exchange among different healthcare players. By storing patient information into a secure cloud system, numerous healthcare providers can seamlessly access it, thus increasing the efficiency of their services.
3. Streamlined Patient Care
Thanks to the efficient storage capabilities that cloud computing offers, medical providers can successfully streamline their patient care services.
Previously, patients might have had separate medical records from each of their medical providers, such as their primary care physician, dentist, dermatologist, and psychiatrist stored in different locations. This made it difficult for different providers to efficiently communicate and collaborate with each other.
Nowadays, a growing number of medical centers are turning to cloud storage solutions for data management. This makes it easier for physicians from different practices to communicate with each other and make informed decisions based on their patient’s interactions with other doctors.
4. Increased Flexibility
Cloud computing solutions offer both short and long-term benefits for users. With cloud-based storage, healthcare providers can save money on upgrades and scaling costs. As these healthcare facilities continue to store more information, they can simply contact their cloud providers to expand their data storage capabilities. Companies that build their own data storage centers have to invest their own money in increasing their storage capacity.
5. Enhanced Data Security
Cloud computing also offers greater security and reliability to its customers. Unlike company-built data centers, cloud servers can remotely wipe computers that may have been breached in order to protect the information stored on them. Thanks to automated backups and disaster recovery solutions, cloud services can prevent the loss of important patient information.
6. Improved Interoperability in Healthcare Services
The main goal of interoperability in healthcare is to seamlessly integrate patient data throughout the healthcare system. No matter where the data originated or is stored, healthcare providers must be able to access it in order to provide high-quality care to their patients. With this readily available information, healthcare providers can quickly gain critical insights that enable them to make informed decisions.
Why You Should Maintain a Strong Relationship with Your Cloud Vendor
Make the Most Out of Your Data and the Insights it Can Provide
Maintaining a strong relationship with your cloud vendor is critical for making the most out of your organization’s vast amount of data. Solutions like the Nuvola Hub Healthcare integration Platform as a Service (Hi-PaaS) allow cloud providers to collect and transform your organization’s data. Using population health management and information sharing, the Nuvola Hub also helps you improve patient outcomes by acquiring meaningful data.
By forming a collaborative and active relationship with your cloud provider you can successfully navigate through the complex healthcare information ecosystem together and achieve your organization’s goals.
Iron Bridge is committed to promoting interoperability in healthcare using the latest technology trends and data collection methods. To learn more about our mission and products such as our Nuvola Hub Hi-PaaS, contact the team today.
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