During the past few years, healthcare industries have recognised the potential of cloud computing. The main reason being the improved quality of service for patients with cloud technology accelerating the way the healthcare industry can use or share information across a network.
IT companies are beginning to focus services specifically on the healthcare sector. The main objective of doing so is to transform healthcare data into meaningful information that can make data accessibility easy.
The sector as a whole needs to be agile to adopt the changes in higher rates and affordable costs. Patient data needs to be both accessible and secure – which is a duo the cloud can offer.
Healthcare regulations are pushing the industry to move towards better storage, collaboration and data sharing in the cloud. For the cloud to become the standard within the healthcare sector, the cloud technology in place must integrate with existing EMR systems to allow for a streamlined process. This integration will allow for better storage, collaboration and data sharing.
Cloud technology is growing into a vital tool in the healthcare field. Better care can be delivered by healthcare experts to patients with no delay to medical records and could potentially lower waiting times.
It could even be said that cloud computing could save lives. As doctors will be able to view updated patient information, allowing for continual monitoring and resulting in fast reactions if their standard of health was to decrease.
By allowing access to patient data simply with an internet connected device, this will introduce the use of mobile devices such as tablets in hospitals and GP practices. This removes the chance of confidential information being stolen, lost or tampered with as you would require individual credentials to access information.
This advancement in technology will allow patients to access their personal medical records on any device, view the last issue date of their medication, request new prescriptions and view when the next available appointment is at their GP practice.
Healthcare organisations need to consider the three main benefits the cloud can offer the healthcare industry:
1. MORE PATIENT INTERACTION
There will be improved two-way communication between healthcare providers and patients as care is increasingly delivered through mobile devices, wearable tech and digital healthcare reminders.
2. RECORDS IN REAL-TIME
Connected devices will give both patients and healthcare professionals real-time access to health records. This will allow patients an insight into their own health whilst saving doctors crucial time as all the updated information they would need is available through a mobile device.
3. A MORE COLLABORATIVE WORKFORCE
The cloud is famous for the improved collaboration it can offer within workplaces, and the likes of hospitals and clinics are not an exception. Cloud computing does not only benefit patients but can also allow healthcare professionals to improve their process of data sharing and communicating from one department to another.
Healthcare needs to realise the potential cloud computing can offer to both workers and patients sooner rather than later. By adopting an innovative approach to such a traditional sector, the smaller issues that are being dealt with on a day-to-day basis will be minimised and more focus on patient care and new developments can be placed.
For more information on how the cloud could revolutionise the healthcare sector, do not hesitate to contact us.
