Just like any industry, healthcare is witnessing a major increase in data volume and is turning to cloud technologies to handle it. Compliance regulations like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) only add to the volume and, in many ways, make cloud migration more pressing for healthcare organizations.
It’s not just about data volume. It’s also about the interoperability of medical data, as practices across integrated organizations attempt to gain a full picture of a patient’s records for better diagnosis and treatment. With cloud technologies, healthcare organizations gain the ability to store, analyze, and retrieve limitless data volume that is securely stored and transferred in compliant facilities.
Practically speaking, this access to data allows healthcare providers to better collaborate on treatment plans for patients, with shared imagery and real-time data available to all providers. Medical professionals can compare old and new versions of imagery with records to determine what improvements they are seeing in a patient.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are impacting healthcare, with large datasets providing insight into a variety of medical settings. The ability to analyze and predict events is revolutionizing healthcare.
Data analysis can allow for personalized medical care, improve the patient experience, and deliver real-time information to healthcare providers and patients. AI and ML can also be used to make hospitals run more efficiently, streamlining patient scheduling, employee background checks, and record retrieval.
Video Conferencing
Cloud technologies are equipping healthcare providers with the ability to offer video consultations. These can be particularly helpful for patients in more remote areas or who are unable to make frequent doctor appointments due to a lack of physical mobility. Cloud video solutions offer real-time connectivity, allowing doctors to talk directly with patients and supervise their care.
Cloud Elasticity
One of the key benefits of cloud technologies for any industry or enterprise is its elasticity. As hospitals and clinics head into cold and flu season, they may experience a corresponding need for additional users and data storage. Cloud solutions are scalable, allowing for more users and storage without the involvement of IT professionals, and enabling healthcare organizations to pay only for the users they need. With more traditional, on-site servers, hospitals are forced to plan for the largest capacity they need, with much of it sitting idle until cold and flu season comes around.
Cloud solutions are making an impact across every industry, but the contribution to quality of life may be most noticeable in healthcare. From more efficient patient check-in procedures at hospitals to coordinated care between healthcare providers and access to video consultations for remote patients, the potential for improvements through cloud technologies is limitless.
Cloud Source can help your healthcare organization determine the right cloud technologies to create immediate improvements in the patient experience. Contact us for more information.