In order to meet the standards of modern-day technology, healthcare organizations must improve their operational efficiency by upgrading their systems to the cloud. This upgrade comes with many benefits and will allow for a top-down streamlining of all healthcare operations.
Use this article to learn some of the key ways in which the influence of the cloud answers the demands of the modern healthcare industry.
Updating in the cloud
Whereas software updates came annually and required costly upgrades to internal systems just to stay current, cloud-based software has evolved beyond this to run even without the time-consuming need for administration from in-house staff. Systems are now managed by the cloud software vendors externally, freeing staff up to perform other business critical tasks. For healthcare professionals with a constantly increasing workload and less time in which to manage it, cloud-based software provides a welcome relief.
With external or automated updates, systems can remain up to date at all times as minor upgrades and improvements can be implemented when required, including out of hours. This avoids outdated systems causing delays or errors, which can in turn cost the business significant amounts of money.
Data in the cloud
Cloud-based systems help neutralize these threats as the vendors invest in higher levels of security than do typical IT teams or internal systems. Data security is one of the major worries of businesses looking to invest in cloud systems when in fact, it is far often more secure than the average business. Not only that but it is monitored and administered by dedicated experts, thus reducing the cost or need for highly trained internal teams.
Cloud-based systems also offer much higher levels of security for backing up data. Whereas before, data may have only been stored internally, placing it at severe risk in the event of a disaster, something which would cost the business significant amounts of money.
Cloud-based systems can backup entire servers and hosts data securely, offering layered redundancies in the case of a disaster. This means that in the event of any internal issues, data can still be accessed externally and utilized accordingly. This is especially important for client booking and appointment scheduling. As the service will remain online at all times, clients will not face any delays.
Scaling in the cloud
As cloud-based systems can be updated externally or automatically and are hosted without the need for internal systems, they are able to scale alongside a healthcare business. As the needs of the business grow, more storage space, faster response times, and potentially improved features are required. Through small business IT support, cloud-based software can be seamlessly scaled to suit the business.
Additionally, cloud-based systems can be adapted to the individual business and their needs. As no two businesses are the same, cloud-based systems account for this by allowing for individualism with their updates. This can also provide huge benefits to customers by adapting cloud-based systems following feedback such as time taken to process an appointment or the accessibility of their personal data.
Single access to data in the cloud
Whereas healthcare professionals previously collected patient data on paper or on single-user systems, the cloud mitigates the risk of human error. By creating a single access point to patient data, information can be viewed in real-time and updated simultaneously throughout the business.
In healthcare, this can massively reduce downtimes, as information can be used or reviewed as it is entered, even if the required healthcare professionals or experts are off-site. This is especially beneficial when a practice has a larger base of operations or work from multiple locations.
Future-proofing in the cloud
Cloud-based systems future-proof a business. By replacing all internal systems with the cloud, the business now has the space to continuously adapt and scale, removing any future need for large costly updates. The flexibility that this brings to any business in the healthcare industry essentially nullifies the risk of outdated systems and the issues that they bring.
Without the ability to predict what changes will come to technology and the healthcare industry as a whole, cloud-based systems by their very nature protect businesses from the unknown. As changes arise and new unforeseen developments in the industry appear, cloud-based software can be updated, scaled and adapted to solve any problem.
Scale Technology in the cloud
At Scale Technology, we believe that IT is about forward thinking, and we bring this mantra forward in all of our work with clients. Our goal is to help your business grow by looking at where you plan to be in two, five, or even ten years and providing the right solutions for you. Contact us at (501) 213-3814, or request a consultation online today.
