How Is Cloud Computing Transforming the Healthcare Industry?

Healthcare is a vital industry for our society, constantly faced with new challenges that require innovative solutions and regular upgrades. The modern medical sector requires robust technological support and powerful digital tools to please clients. 

Thus, industry representatives need advanced and cost-efficient solutions. Luckily, cloud computing meets the mentioned criteria, and that’s why it is becoming increasingly popular with healthcare organizations. 

The information provided below includes a detailed overview of all the pros and cons cloud computing software can bring to this important sector.

What Is Cloud Computing?

In simple terms, it is the delivery of various IT services over the web. The list of available options may include:

• Server rental;
• Data analysis;
• Artificial intelligence implementation;
• Software development.

Due to this technology, organizations get access to innovative, flexible tools without installing expensive hardware. Plus, they pay only for cloud services they use, significantly reducing operating costs and providing efficient infrastructure management.

What Are the Perks of Cloud Computing?

The technology enhances any business by providing useful IT resources that meet almost any budget. Here you can find the main advantages offered by these services:

• Data protection. Reliable cloud providers ensure the top security of their client’s data by implementing innovative technologies. Also, data backup and disaster recovery services guarantee nothing will threaten your organization’s information.
• Cost reduction. Clients opt for this technology because it eliminates the necessity of buying hardware and developing software. Additionally, there is no need to pay for round-the-clock electricity to power servers or hire IT professionals to manage the infrastructure.
• Higher productivity. Your workers can focus on the most important tasks instead of dealing with time-consuming infrastructure management chores.
• Better performance. Providers of top-quality services constantly improve their hardware to ensure stable performance.

What Is Cloud Computing in Healthcare?

Why is cloud computing important for this sector? Organizations often use it to store, manage, and process online data. Due to this, the information is kept on remotely accessible services, ensuring the protection of patient records and conforming to HIPAA security requirements.

Also, industry representatives use this option to improve daily processes and operations. The information provided below includes examples of the most popular types of cloud computing in healthcare.

Hospital management

Using centralized information storage and a variety of innovative tools, healthcare organizations can manage both patients and personnel in real-time. Plus, the technology may be utilized to take control of the supply chain.

Due to cloud computing, hospital managers can track all processes online. At the same time, doctors get efficient tools to check up-to-date information about their patients, manage available equipment, and plan their work schedules. Also, the implementation of this technology can automate the majority of time-consuming routine tasks.

Private healthcare reports

Due to cloud technologies, medical organizations can allow their clients to access their examination results whenever they need to. For example, it’s possible to develop a mobile app that will show relevant data thanks to cloud computing servers.

Data storage

The healthcare representatives have to deal with vast amounts of data. According to Orient Software, an average provider of medical services uploads nearly 600 megabytes per client every year.

Thus, many organizations opt for cloud computing to get access to enormous storage capacities. The technology provides access to hardware that is able to store and efficiently process terabytes of important data.

Detailed analytics

Healthcare specialists have to work with huge amounts of data every day. Luckily, cloud computing services can simplify their work by providing them with powerful analytic tools. Innovative technologies can process tons of information within a couple of minutes.

Healthcare organizations can use cloud AI to predict disease outbreaks and identify possible risks before they become serious problems. Specialists may use advanced assistants to eliminate diagnostic errors and develop personalized plans for each patient.

Telemedicine

The implementation of cloud computing has significantly contributed to the development of telemedicine. Technologies offer the possibility to conduct consultations, make diagnoses, and monitor patients’ health conditions remotely. 

This is an extremely valuable option for people who do not have the opportunity to visit a hospital. Moreover, cloud-based telemedicine platforms provide the possibility to conduct virtual surgeries.

Besides, some medical organizations use cloud software development services to inform their clients about the medications available at the nearest pharmacies. The technology collects information from various drugstores in a particular area. After that, clients may use a mobile app or website to discover where to buy the necessary medications.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Cloud Computing in Healthcare

Although the benefits of cloud computing in the healthcare industry are undeniable, there are still some risks and problems. Let’s get acquainted with the main advantages of this powerful technology and its related issues.

Advantages of cloud computing

What are the advantages of cloud computing? First, this technology offers a great way to increase productivity and enhance data security while significantly reducing management costs. Nonetheless, there are some other benefits of cloud computing in healthcare:

• Excellent patient experience. Thanks to this technology, healthcare organizations may please their patients by offering a personalized attitude and improved transparency. Now, any hospital can develop a website providing patients access to their data. At the same time, doctors can opt for remote work if necessary.
• Enhanced collaboration. Cloud computing can connect various devices with the help of special software. The data provided by each of them will be collected, carefully organized, and stored. It’ll help the workers interact faster and speed up all information-related tasks. For example, doctors will see any updates in their patients’ medical records, allowing them to make more precise diagnoses.
• AI implementation. The development of AI assistants has opened new possibilities for the whole healthcare industry. Now, there is software that can analyze medical data, assist doctors, enhance the quality of services, and manage resources. 

Risks of cloud computing

Unfortunately, the technology still faces several problems, including security concerns and system downtimes. Although a reliable provider may easily handle the risks of cloud computing in healthcare, it’s still important to consider the following:

• System downtimes. Many clients are afraid of losing their data in case the providers of cloud services face downtime. Although such an unpleasant situation may happen, it’s possible to eliminate the risk by opting for hybrid cloud solutions.
• Security concerns. Considering the industry’s peculiarities, a private information leak may considerably damage any healthcare organization’s reputation. Thus, choosing a provider that uses data encryption and two-step verification to protect your information will be a good idea.
• Data-regulation laws. Any reputable medical organization must meet the norms of HIPAA, GDPR, and HITECH. The same requirements should be met by the provider of cloud computing services. Luckily, if you choose a reliable partner, you can be sure its security system will comply with the highest industry standards.

Future of Cloud Computing in Healthcare

According to Healthcare IT News, the healthcare cloud computing market will reach $33.49 billion by the end of 2025. Currently, medical organizations keep more than 50% of their data on servers run by cloud computing providers.

The significant development of technologies and artificial intelligence offers new possibilities for the whole industry. At the same time, cloud computing providers are making innovations to improve their security systems and meet demanding HIPAA compliance requirements.

The opportunity to get access to virtual desktops, smart disaster recovery tools, reliable data backup, and other services attracts new clients. Due to the powerful hardware provided by cloud computing providers, medical organizations can create robust healthcare systems.

According to a recent survey by DuploCloud, 78% of medical organizations in the USA have already started using this technology. At the same time, 20% want to implement cloud computing services. The study also revealed other interesting facts:

• Nearly 94% of healthcare workers recommend this technology to their colleagues;
• The highest cloud infrastructure adoption rates (90%) were among hospitals. At the same time, the lowest (only 23%) was among dental clinics.

These results prove that the future of cloud computing is inevitably connected with the digitalization of the healthcare industry.

Conclusion

Now you know why cloud computing is important for the whole healthcare industry. This technology is a robust, cost-efficient solution that can significantly enhance the quality of medical services. 

Although there are still some risks, innovative security technologies can overcome most of them. We will likely see the industry transform in the coming years thanks to the collaboration between cloud computing providers and medical organizations.