The Cloud offers quality, timely, and affordable services by doctors to their patients. It is a platform that enables users, in this case, doctors and patients, to have real-time consultations without necessarily having to go to the doctor’s office. This is made possible due to the Cloud features that are available on most devices with an internet connection. Your computer, your phone, or even a tablet is all you need.
Why healthcare providers have turned to the Cloud
The Cloud is a less expensive alternative because users don’t have to pay consultation fees to access the services of a doctor. It is faster because you can access the services online at any time 24/7. These services are becoming much more prevalent today because doctors and their patients lead such busy lives. In addition, Cloud services adhere to HIPAA regulations, so this protects both the patient and the doctor.
Providers are pressed with the need to reduce their operational costs. In today’s world, the cost of everything is rising, including employee wages and day-to-day expenses. More providers are moving toward offering Cloud services to cut back their expenditures and save time. Doctors can see more patients and they still get the quality care they deserve.
Patients seem to like the added convenience of having these kinds of treatment options available. Nowadays people are so much more involved in the management of their own healthcare. Using the Internet, it’s easy to check online for treatment of certain conditions. Though this can be helpful, it is also risky because there’s a lot of information out there and someone might get the wrong facts and make their condition worse.
Advantages of using the Cloud in healthcare
Cloud computing solutions are relatively cost-effective when compared with traditional IT costs. Using the Cloud, companies can choose a line of services that best suits their business needs. Even storage options are completely scalable. The Cloud offers automatic upgrades when new software and firmware becomes available. This type of flexibility is an attractive feature for most healthcare providers. When they sign up for the Cloud, they can select from a range of packages where services are bundled to save money.
Using the Cloud, millions of patient records and other data can be stored online where it’s accessible from any device or location. That gives clinicians many advantages over old-fashioned storage methods. From test results to pharmacy information, a doctor can consult with a specialist sharing things that can help to lead to a better diagnosis for his patients. Data can be shared in real time. This is much more effective than exchanging emails and phone calls with other doctors.
Disadvantages of using the Cloud
The Cloud relies heavily on the internet and downtime is a challenge associated with internet services. This will temporarily make information unavailable or take a longer time to gain access to the right records.
Bandwidth is another issue. If too many users are trying to access the same site at the same time, traffic may slow down. This can cripple accessibility.
Security is another major issue when you have your data stored on online platforms. Providers need to have multiple layers of security installed. Many doctors have gotten used to conferring with specialists while they’re on the move. Public broadband connections lack the security requirements of HIPAA. Though the Cloud is easy and convenient for a doctor and his staff, it’s very important to make sure that everyone knows the importance of security. You can’t access the network from unsecured public locations and many healthcare workers may not comply with Best Practices.
Services offered by Cloud
Basically, users can take advantage of various types of cloud services including private, public, and hybrid Clouds. The private cloud deals with an on-premises environment, where data is generated and stored within the network system of an organization. A public cloud is more or less the kind of data that is uploaded to an online platform and can be accessed by just anybody. Health facilities use the public cloud to upload medical resources such as medical articles, research statistics, and the likes. A hybrid Cloud offers both private and third-party cloud services. It’s like having the best of both worlds.
New WANs in Healthcare
A Wide Area Network (WAN) is another technology made up of multiple Local Area Networks (LANs) and the two are interconnected using a router or any other device that is multifunctional. Innovators in healthcare technology are trying to establish new WANs based on broadband connections supplemented by software overlays.
This is because broadband connections are cheaper when compared to private lines. The new innovation will enable providers to expand their bandwidth according to their needs and even allow them to use other kinds of connection technology such as wireless networking. Installing the new WANs will not affect the existing IT infrastructures. This will automatically help improve cloud services.
Wrap Up
Cloud services for the healthcare industry are trying to meet the immediate demands of both the providers and the users by offering access to IT resources such as greater storage options and more versatile applications. The best part of opting to go with cloud services is that the organization will not need to install or manage any software or hardware. Cloud services can be accessed from anywhere giving both the providers and healthcare users greater convenience.