In healthcare, AI and machine learning often steal the spotlight when talking about digital transformation. But do not forget about software-powered medical devices and IoT in healthcare, too. While these trends are game-changers, cloud computing is really the foundation that makes all these next-gen innovations possible.
Cloud computing in healthcare has revolutionised how health data is made, accessed, saved, as well as, shared. McKinsey predicts that cloud-powered medical solutions will possess a value ranging from $100b to $170b by 2030. Also, the key factor driving this increasing value is the ability of healthcare organisations to innovate, digitise, and accomplish their strategic objectives more efficiently.p
Cloud Computing in Healthcare Demystified!
Cloud computing in healthcare pertains to the provision of computing services. This involves networking, storage, software, servers, and databases to medical institutions through the Internet. The approach enables healthcare practitioners to access these resources as needed. This means no huge upfront costs for infrastructure or hardware.
Plus, with virtualisation, healthcare organisations can run multiple virtual machines on just one physical server. This optimises hardware utilisation and curbs operational costs.
5 Game-Changing Benefits of Cloud Computing in Healthcare
– Uncompromising Security for Patient Data
Safeguarding patient information is paramount today. Cloud computing platforms put forward robust security measures. Healthcare organisations can safely store patient records in the cloud using high-end features like multi-factor authentication and end-to-end encryption. Also, they make sure to follow HIPAA rules to keep everything legitimate. These measures also ensure the secure handling of sensitive information.
Major providers like Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure have implemented industry-leading healthcare cloud security protocols. This lets businesses focus on giving top-notch care without stressing about data security. Basically, the cloud is like a secure vault for all your important assets.
– Streamlined Collaboration Across Care Teams
The capability to share information swiftly and securely is crucial in delivering coordinated care. Cloud computing in healthcare dismantles traditional barriers. This facilitates real-time collaboration among healthcare professionals.
Envision a situation where specialists from different fields can access a patient’s medical history at the same time. This results in more informed decision-making. This seamless interoperability promotes teamwork, improves patient outcomes, and decreases the time required to formulate treatment plans. With cloud solutions, collaboration has never been simpler or more efficient.
– Cost-Effective Scalability for Healthcare Providers
In a time when budgets are constrained, healthcare providers are continually searching for methods to optimise expenses. Cloud technology in healthcare presents a flexible solution that enables organisations to modify their IT resources according to demand. Instead of investing in costly hardware and upkeep, providers can pay solely for what they utilise. This curbs overhead expenditures while preserving adaptability.
The pay-as-you-go approach is particularly advantageous for smaller practices that may lack the financial resources for extensive IT infrastructure. In summary, the cloud converts IT expenditure from a fixed cost into a strategic investment.
– More Tailored Patient Care
Cloud computing transforms patient care by facilitating hyper-personalised treatment plans. These plans are customised specifically to individual requirements. Healthcare providers can continuously monitor patients by integrating wearable devices. They help track real-time heart rate, glucose levels, and blood pressure. The collected information is then processed by the infusion of AI in healthcare. It enables immediate intervention when necessary. For example, the Apple Watch can spot irregular heartbeats, such as atrial fibrillation. This allows doctors to step in early and prevent major health issues.
AI algorithms evaluate this real-time data to recognise patterns, forecast potential health risks, and provide recommendations. This ensures that the patient receives the most suitable care at all times. With the additional healthcare IoT security layer, all patient information is securely encrypted and stored in the cloud, complying with stringent privacy standards. Incorporating AI in healthcare guarantees that sensitive health data remains protected while allowing healthcare professionals to access it instantly. This facilitates quicker and more informed decisions.
This combination of IoT devices, cloud technology and AI in healthcare is enabling the sector to shift away from generic approaches. It puts forth more targeted treatments based on an individual’s unique health information. It is changing healthcare from treating problems after they happen to preventing them before they occur. This improves patient care by making it more personalised, safe, and timely. AI and IoT in healthcare are building a future where care is better and tailored to each patient’s needs.
– Resilient Data Recovery and Business Continuity
In healthcare, the stakes are significant when it comes to data integrity. The cloud offers a powerful disaster recovery solution that guarantees patient records are secure and accessible, even in the event of unexpected circumstances. Automated backups and data centres spread across different locations allow healthcare organisations to quickly recover from data loss incidents.
Studies indicate that healthcare organisations with cloud-based disaster recovery strategies experience less downtime in comparison to those relying on conventional backup methods. This resilience safeguards patient information and ensures continuity of care. This enables healthcare providers to respond efficiently in any scenario.
Real-World Examples of Cloud Computing Transforming Healthcare
- Pfizer
It is a pharmaceutical and biotechnology company. Since 2016, it has leveraged cloud computing in medicine. It helped them enhance collaboration across all facets of its projects. Pfizer recently garnered attention after partnering with BioNTech in order to develop the vaccine for COVID-19. Furthermore, the organisation teams with AWS to create cloud-powered solutions. This is done to refine the design and distribution of clinical trials.
- Philips Healthcare
The organisation has transformed the healthcare landscape through cloud computing. It offers groundbreaking cloud-powered solutions that dismantle data silos, connected care, facilitate secure, and promote cost-effective and scalable innovation throughout the care continuum. These offerings, including the and Philips Acute Care Telehealth and Philips Patient Flow Capacity Suite are components of the HealthSuite platform. They put forth a secure, cloud-powered framework for healthcare systems to integrate informatics applications, deliver precise care, and enable care delivery from any location.
Winding Up
The progression of cloud computing in healthcare is undeniably transforming the industry. It is creating opportunities for innovations such as IoT wearable devices and AI in healthcare that enhance patient treatment and operational effectiveness. As organisations increasingly adopt these advancements, they will be more capable of providing personalised, secure, and timely healthcare solutions.
For further insights on how cloud technologies and AI can revolutionise your healthcare practice, delve into our comprehensive resources at CloudZenia. Join us in embracing the future of healthcare technology today!
