Benefits of Cloud Computing in Healthcare: Top 7 Benefits

Benefits of Cloud Computing in Healthcare Industry

There are a lot of benefits of cloud computing in healthcare for patients and providers. 

Here are our top seven.

#1 Flexibility and Scalability

Cloud computing for healthcare allows organizations to dynamically adjust their IT resources based on demand, without the need for significant capital investment in physical infrastructure. 

This means healthcare providers can easily scale up during peak times, such as during a pandemic or a flu season, and scale down during slower periods, ensuring they only pay for what they use. 

A notable example is the Cleveland Clinic, which leveraged cloud computing solutions to handle the surge in telehealth appointments during the COVID-19 pandemic. By using a cloud-based telemedicine platform, they were able to rapidly scale their services to accommodate a 1,700% increase in virtual visits, ensuring continued patient care without compromising on quality or accessibility.

#2 Better Safety of Sensitive Patient Data

The healthcare industry is frequently targeted by cyber threats due to its reliance on accessing medical records. Cloud computing in healthcare industry allows to mitigate the risk of data leaks and breaches by providing a multilayered approach for patient data protection.

Here are four reasons why healthcare cloud computing improves the security of sensitive healthcare information:

1. Cloud-based solutions allow for precise control over who can access patient data, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access. This reduces the risk of unauthorized exposure and enhances the privacy of patient information.
2. Cloud healthcare services use sophisticated encryption techniques to protect data, ensuring compliance with HIPAA and other privacy regulations. This encryption secures data during transmission and storage, providing a robust defense against unauthorized access.
3. It facilitates transparent and efficient audit trails, enabling medical professionals to monitor who accesses and modifies patient records. This accountability helps in detecting potential security risks and ensures proper data handling practices.

#3 Better Quality of Care

Aside from making practitioners' lives easier, improved patient care is another significant advantage of cloud computing in healthcare industry. 

Cloud environment provides a comprehensive infrastructure that enhances various aspects of patient care beyond just electronic health records. By enabling seamless data access, real-time updates, and advanced analytics, cloud technology ensures that critical information is available when and where it is needed. 

This integration facilitates not only streamlined decision-making but also proactive healthcare management. From immediate order processing to secure patient-doctor interactions and improved access to health data, cloud computing transforms patient care, making it more efficient, accurate, and personalized. 

#4 Reduced Costs

According to a Gartner study, organizations that shift to cloud infrastructure can expect to save up to 20% on their IT spending. For healthcare practices, this can mean significant cost savings associated with maintaining on-premises servers, storage, and networking equipment.

A good illustration of the cost-effective advantages of cloud computing in healthcare is Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. BIDMC migrated its disaster recovery systems to the cloud and reported saving approximately $500,000 annually in data center costs by leveraging cloud services instead of maintaining traditional on-premises infrastructure.

Here are other ways cloud computing in healthcare saves practices thousands of dollars annually.

#5 Improved Data Interoperability

Imagine you need to coordinate care for a patient who visits multiple healthcare providers, such as a primary care physician, a cardiologist, and a physical therapist. Each provider uses a different EHR system, making it challenging to share and access the patient's complete medical history.

With cloud computing and healthcare digital records, all these providers can securely upload and access the patient's data through a shared cloud platform. When the primary care physician updates the patient’s records with a new diagnosis or treatment plan, this information is immediately available to the cardiologist and physical therapist. The cardiologist can then review the updated medical history before scheduling a procedure, and the physical therapist can adjust the therapy sessions based on the latest treatment plan.

This seamless sharing of information ensures that each provider has the most current and comprehensive data, leading to better coordinated and more effective patient care. The cloud platform can also integrate data from wearable devices such as glucose monitors or fitness trackers, for example, and home monitoring systems, providing real-time insights into the patient’s condition and further enhancing care quality and outcomes.

#6 Next-Level Medical Research

Cloud computing in healthcare industry provides vast, scalable computing power and easy access to massive datasets. This technology allows researchers worldwide to collaborate in real time, analyze complex data quickly, and uncover critical insights faster than ever before.

#7 Regulatory Compliance

Healthcare cloud computing helps organizations to ensure compliance with various regulatory standards such as HIPAA in the US, GDPR in Europe, and other local data protection laws which is frequently complex and time-consuming.

Cloud services use strong security measures to keep data safe and regularly monitor and audit their systems to identify and address potential security vulnerabilities. These audits help ensure that the cloud infrastructure meets the stringent requirements of regulations which mandate secure environment and protection of patient data.

What’s more, cloud providers generate detailed reports that demonstrate how they handle patient data securely and in accordance with regulatory requirements. These reports are crucial during regulatory inspections and audits to prove that healthcare organizations are meeting legal standards for data protection and privacy.

Closing Thoughts: Cloud Computing's Impact on Healthcare

Cloud computing benefits in healthcare overcome challenges that traditional computing methods couldn't handle due to cost or feasibility constraints. The cloud enables healthcare organizations to innovate at a rapid pace and scale, revolutionizing the way patient care is delivered and managed.

At inVerita, we leverage cloud computing to develop custom healthcare solutions. Whether you're looking to streamline operations, enhance data security, or improve accessibility to patient records, our cloud-based services offer scalable, secure, and efficient solutions tailored to your needs.