New technological advancements continue to benefit the healthcare industry. In previous blogs, I’ve shared how tech devices help SNF and long-term care center staff while also helping elderly patients live happier, healthier lives. In this blog, I’ll focus on how cloud computing offers a number of advantages to the healthcare sector.

 

There are always concerns when newer technologies are introduced into an industry, just like there were cloud computing, but it didn’t take long for it to prove its value. Global Market Insights predicts that the global healthcare cloud computing market will likely surpass $55 billion by 2025. This would be up $48 billion from 2018.

 

There is a lot healthcare organizations can be thankful for as a result of cloud computing. Below are five ways cloud computing has changed the healthcare industry for the better.

1. More Effective Data Security

Healthcare organizations undoubtedly require stronger security measures than most other industries because they’re dealing with sensitive patient data. It’s this data that makes the healthcare industry the most vulnerable to hackers. Last year, healthcare data breaches hit a record high, which impacted around 45 million individuals. As hackers continue to target healthcare organizations, facilities must make incorporating cloud solutions a priority. Having a hybrid cloud-based system ensures that your infrastructure is secure and your patients’ data is protected. 

2. Advanced Medical Research

A more digitized healthcare system not only benefits facilities, it also benefits medical researchers as well. UCLA Health, for example, just recently announced their plans to use Microsoft Azure to accelerate their research initiatives. By connecting cloud services and health data, it allows research to be more precise and personalized, so the healthcare industry can continue to best serve its patients.

3. Cheaper Data Storage Costs

If you use an on-site data center, it not only requires an upfront investment cost, but you have to make ongoing payments for maintenance, cooling solutions, and the use of a physical space. If you use cloud storage, however, you don’t have to worry about handling all of the expensive costs. Instead, using a cloud computing vendor decreases these costs while also giving you time to focus on your patients and organization. 

4. Enhanced Collaboration

Technology has proven essential within healthcare facilities for many reasons, but improving communication and collaboration between all touchpoints of a patient’s journey is one of the biggest. It not only eases the workload of healthcare staff, it also enhances the level of care they’re able to provide patients — which is even more important in a more digitized world.

5. Easy Access of Patient Information

Cloud computing enhances collaboration, but it also gives physicians and healthcare staff easy access to patient information. Staff can now utilize mobile health applications and portals to send and receive health data from wherever they are, which makes faster, more accurate care possible.

 

It’s clear that cloud computing is advancing healthcare. Are you on the cloud yet?