Healthcare Cloud Computing For Allied Health Businesses: Necessity or Luxury?
- By Renato Parletta
- January 1, 2021
The use of healthcare cloud computing solutions by professionals in the industry is not a novel concept and has been around for several years. However, it is only in recent years that the technology has come into play more actively, particularly among allied health businesses.
How Is Cloud Computing Affecting The Healthcare Industry?
The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of cloud computing in healthcare by as much as two years, according to expert estimations. This is primarily because healthcare providers have been forced to reconsider how they deliver their services.
Telehealth and cloud computing offer an ideal solution, allowing services to continue without risk of infection, at minimal compromise. As this begins to play an increasingly prevalent role in operations, it is important to consider the relative benefits and drawbacks of cloud computing for your allied health business.
Benefit From Technology
Work Collaboratively
A cloud system improves collaboration between the different teams. Transferring data between the right people becomes all the more accessible, allowing for more informed patient care decisions to be made, thereby boosting cooperation for better treatment.
As an example, through iinsight, your team of allied health providers can work collaboratively and in real-time on patient files using advanced injury management software on their choice of device. They also get access to the main health portals and can upload documents directly to it when submitting claims.
Improved Data Storage Methods
Similarly, cloud computing paves the way for improved methods of data storage. Day-to-day, healthcare providers must deal with electronic medical records, patient portals, mobile apps, and big data analytics. Understandably, this can test the operational limits of in-house equipment.
Through an affordable monthly subscription, cloud software aids the management, storage, and analysis of this data without the cost of maintaining physical servers.
Scale Your Practice
Furthermore, cloud storage allows businesses to scale with ease. The technology supports more efficient filing systems, better workflows, and improved access to patient files. Learn more by downloading our allied health case management ebook.
Potential Drawbacks To Consider
Online Security Breach
The primary concerns of healthcare cloud computing technology surround the issues of privacy and security. In recent years there have been notable data breaches that have spurred concerns amongst patients.
This is primarily because they feel that a cloud system might compromise the security of extremely personal information if adopted by doctors, hospitals, and other allied health businesses, particularly if multiple users can share EHRs amongst facilities.
To overcome such concerns, healthcare businesses must opt for an industry-leading provider, like iinsight. We act in complete accordance with the provisions outlined in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996.
This is in the best interest of both patients and allied health businesses since it costs more to recover from a data breach than it does invest in a quality cloud system.
The Bottom Line On Healthcare Cloud Computing
Adopting cloud computing will be a necessary step for allied health businesses to take in the near future, provided that you take the necessary precautions. Ultimately, this will help to grow your practice, better support your patients, and provide your team with a streamlined work environment.