Is your healthcare practice yet to adopt cloud services? If you are hesitating to take the big leap, consider this – the healthcare cloud computing market is projected to reach USD 40.5 billion by 2025. That’s a CAGR of 17.8% from the 17.9 billion in 2020. So, what is driving the increasing adoption of cloud-based services in healthcare?
It’s not just the COVID-19 impact, though the pandemic has served to accelerate the adoption of newer technologies in healthcare. With telehealth services and value-based care seeing an uptick, seamless and collaborative healthcare has become essential. Cloud-based computing lets you access fast, secure, efficient, advanced, and cost-effective IT technology for your practice. The benefits of cloud computing for healthcare are irrefutable; let’s see some of these in this post.
The Advantages of Getting Your Practice into the Cloud
Around the globe, more and more healthcare providers are starting to migrate their practice to the cloud. More than 83% of the healthcare industry is currently replacing its old IT infrastructure with cloud solutions. This is due to the myriad benefits cloud computing has over traditional computing. The main advantages of cloud computing include:
1. Efficient analytics
The sheer volume of data that healthcare providers need to make informed decisions is almost intimidating. It requires high amounts of storage, time and complex computing. Cloud computing uses machine learning models that enable easy tracking and management of clinical and medical data. Faster retrieval of data enables faster diagnosis and more accurate analysis. Cloud services also provide the storage you need without having to maintain physical servers to accommodate the huge volume of data.
2. Scalability
One of the most beneficial features of cloud-based solutions is their scalability. Unlike traditional on-premises IT infrastructure, cloud hosting and services offer you the flexibility you need for accommodating rapid changes. It allows you to scale up or down without downtime or hardware purchases. This characteristic of the cloud is especially beneficial for the healthcare industry as unforeseen circumstances can arise at any time.
3. Faster collaboration
Migrating to the cloud lets you store all your data at one centralized location that you can access through the web portal. This enables interoperability between core systems and swift access to medical records, within the organization, between patients and the institution, and between institutions if needed.
4. Enhanced Security
Healthcare providers’ most common concern regarding moving to the cloud is security and compliance. Here too, the right provider can give you services that score over traditional on-premises IT. Physical equipment on your premises can get damaged due to various reasons and can also be breached easily. An IT breach is bad; data loss is worse. With cloud hosting, you get automated backups, which means that your data is never lost.
Most healthcare cloud service providers offer HIPAA-compliant solutions. Some providers also offer additional security measures, monitoring and risk management to ensure data security. Ensure that your cloud provider is providing HIPAA compliant solutions, as well as any third vendor collaboration also is HIPAA compliant.
5. Custom solutions
The cloud works on a pay-as-you-go principle which means you only pay for services you use for as long as you want them. This will allow your organization to cut down on IT expenses and manage your resources better. You wouldn’t have to worry about updates as the service providers will take care of it. In short, you’ll be able to create custom plans in accordance with your practice needs without spending exorbitant amounts of money.
Cloud Infrastructure Models
Cloud computing offers three service models that suit unique sets of requirements. The most common service models are:
1. IaaS
Infrastructure as a service or IaaS provides networking features, computer systems and storage spaces for your data. In other words, it offers you the building blocks you need for a IT structure. IaaS provides the highest flexibility and control over IT resources among the three models. Microsoft Azure and Google Compute Engine are examples of this model of cloud computing.
2. PaaS
Platform as a service or PaaS gives you the basic framework you require for designing your processes so that you’ll be free to focus on the deployment of your applications. There is no need to worry about collecting the resources or software maintenance as all the heavy lifting will be done by the service providers. AWS Elastic Beanstalk and Heroku are typical examples of PaaS.
3. SaaS
Software as a service, abbreviated as SaaS, provides you with the final product that is maintained by the service provider. If you implement this model, all you have to do is pay for the service you need and use them to complete your work. Google Workspace and Dropbox are well-known examples of SaaS.
Cloud Deployment Models
Cloud deployment refers to the installation of the hardware and software that are to be accessible over the internet. To know which cloud deployment model suits your practice best, you need to understand what the three most common cloud deployment models do. The three models are:
1. Private Cloud Deployment
In this model, you get a dedicated cloud environment for your practice that is accessible only by your organization. Private cloud deployment allows you to have increased control over your data and services and offers maximum security and customization options.
2. Public Cloud Deployment
The hybrid cloud deployment model combines aspects of public and private clouds as per your requirements. The benefits of this model of cloud deployment include flexibility and scalability. In simple terms, they offer you the best of both worlds by allowing data and applications to be shared between the private and public cloud.
How Can Tier3md Help Your Practice Get Into and Be in the Cloud?
The benefits cloud computing offers to healthcare industry are many. Moving to a cloud-based service offers you flexibility, time and cost efficiency and enhanced storage and security options. It also offers easy transition from legacy IT systems. At Tier3MD, we understand that advanced technology and compliance must go hand-in-hand for the healthcare industry. Our services are classified into two- hosting and servicing. We guarantee effective and stable technology that is customized for your practice. The services we offer are compliant with the HIPAA guidelines and follow the standard procedures.
If you’re ready to move to the cloud, or need help with understanding how cloud services can help your healthcare practice, contact us today!
