Healthcare in the Cloud: A Paradigm Shift in the Industry’s Landscape
Staying competitive in the healthcare industry requires organizations to keep pace with technological advancements, emerging treatments, and evolving consumer needs. A strategic way to achieve this is through the adoption of public cloud solutions. By opting for cloud-based solutions instead of on-premises IT, organizations can reap a host of benefits.
Advantages of cloud-based, Software as a Service (SaaS) models include but are not limited to:
- Better clinical and population health outcomes
- Reduced disparity in regional and remote areas
- More empowered patients
- Slashing infrastructure and hardware costs
- Quicker (and therefore cheaper) configuration and deployment solutions
- Reducing the need for capital expenditure linked to infrastructure, shifting costs to operational expenditure
- Enhanced opportunities for innovation and scalability
- Improved mobility; supporting a mobile workforce and virtual models of care for patients
- Value-based care. It will be the dominant reimbursement method. The convergence of proactive healthcare, care provided at home, and changes in the workforce will empower healthcare organizations (HCOs) to adopt fee-for-value or value-based care (VBC) models and take on increased potential risks.
- Hospital-at-home. It will become the principal care setting. Hospital care will primarily focus on invasive procedures or situations where home care isn’t suitable, yet the resulting decrease in hospital resource usage will accelerate the closure of clinics. By 2029, around 29% of assessment and management appointments will occur through virtual care platforms.
- Consumer-led data sharing. It will increase popularity and push HCOs to evolve as democratization sets in. By 2030, individuals will possess ownership over their health data, predominantly generated by the individuals themselves. They will also have the authority to establish terms for providing or withdrawing access to their health information.
- Health equity. It will improve as more excellent distribution of best-in-class care vastly increases. By 2030, healthcare organizations (HCOs) will be obliged to systematically break down the disparities that impact marginalized communities. In confronting this imbalance, the healthcare sector must utilize its purpose and principles as navigational markers for decision-making rather than strict ROI measures.
- Embed cybersecurity into all decisions. An integrated healthcare ecosystem signifies that the vulnerability to cybersecurity breaches will persist at a significant level. Embracing a Zero Trust eXtended framework and implementing suitable segmentation for healthcare institution resources like medical equipment and employee devices needing patient data access mandates continuous authentication. Moreover, the advent of quantum computers will pose a pressing risk to encryption integrity.
- Understand the shifting value of data and protect it at all costs. The significance of data amassed today and in the upcoming years will experience an exponential surge by 2030. However, this accumulation relies heavily on the trust of consumers. Healthcare organizations (HCOs) that falter in safeguarding security and privacy will find themselves lacking competitiveness.
- Establish new revenue streams that embrace low-acuity care settings. Utilize emerging care environments, create fresh sources of revenue, and eliminate obstacles hindering technology adoption. Remote patient monitoring can enhance financial results within fee-for-service (FFS) and value-based care (VBC) frameworks. Yet, the accessibility of devices must be extended to all individuals by reducing costs. To counterbalance device expenses, integrate functionalities into care strategies for chronic and post-acute monitoring, aligning incentives to promote either fee-for-service or value-based care approaches.
1) Remote Patient Monitoring
Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) is the process of transferring patient data in real-time to healthcare officials from a remote location. RPM allows healthcare providers to effectively monitor and take action remotely if needed, removing the need for physical presence for diagnosis and intervention. Data collected from various devices such as heart monitors, smartwatches, and other medical wearable sensors are transmitted via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, allowing healthcare professionals to seamlessly access a patient’s health metrics regardless of location and time. The cloud is an ideal hub for transmitting and storing data, as it provides fast, secure, and reliable transmission. In times of emergency, Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) can send alerts to healthcare officials, enabling them to take appropriate action. Patients can also access their records and track their health, increasing engagement and promoting better self-care.
2) Telemedicine and Virtual Care
As the use of mobile phones and the internet continues to grow, telemedicine and virtual care practices are becoming more accessible. Thanks to advanced cloud-based tools, doctors can now easily access their patients’ medical records, diagnose them, provide support, and schedule regular check-ups. Remote diagnosis is also quite accurate, with a study by the Mayo Clinic showing that video telemedicine visits had a diagnosis concordance of 86.9% compared to in-person visits. The medical specialties ranged from 77.3% for otorhinolaryngology to 96% for psychiatry. Cloud-based tools such as video conferences, mobile calls, and live chat allow patients to get the medical care they need from the comfort of their homes. Medical professionals can seamlessly collaborate in real-time with each other, share information, and provide updates without geographical limitations. With the recent advancements in cloud technology and robotics, some doctors have even begun performing remote surgical operations, allowing healthcare officials to work flexibly and providing more accessible care to those who need it.
3) Data Accessibility and Security
Data accessibility and security are some of the most critical aspects of the Healthcare Industry, considering the immense amount of data collected from patients that is essential for providing quality medical care. Cloud systems can do just that: They provide a strong foundation for reaching and storing data safely. Healthcare providers can easily grant access to doctors, nurses, and patients, enabling timely and informed medical decisions. With the cloud, users can easily access the data using various devices such as mobile phones, tablets, and personal computers. The availability of data facilitates better collaboration among medical professionals, leading to more accurate medical interpretations. The cloud’s data encryption feature provides an extra layer of security, ensuring that unauthorized individuals do not access patient data. Additionally, cloud systems offer automatic data backup and recovery, allowing for quick data restoration in case of system malfunctions and uninterrupted operations.
4) Cost Reduction
In today’s healthcare industry, renowned for its high expenses, providers must find ways to reduce costs to stay competitive. Traditional physical solutions occupy a lot of space, take considerable time to build, and generally require giant capital investments. Cloud solutions, on the other hand, eliminate the need for physical hardware, which reduces infrastructure costs. According to KPMG research, organizations can save an average of 30% by shifting from capital expenditures to cloud-based IT services. Additionally, migrating to the cloud eliminates maintenance costs associated with on-prem IT solutions. Furthermore, healthcare providers can efficiently manage their physical space and save on utilities and IT personnel costs by eliminating the need for on-prem hardware. Besides, cloud systems offer collaboration and communication tools that improve operational efficiency and lead to further cost savings.
5) Scalability
Cloud systems are all about scalability. Cloud’s highly automated nature makes it possible for healthcare companies to scale up and expand their business wherever they desire. Cloud solutions allow high automation, making it easier to use time and resources quite efficiently. It also provides a flexible operational structure in which resource allocations can be created automatically depending on fluctuations in demand. Seamless integration with 3rd party apps and devices enhances scalability, allowing healthcare providers to scale innovative solutions rapidly. Cloud also provides flexible payment options for organizations, such as subscriptions and pay-as-you-go models, allowing organizations to pay only for the resources they use and adjust their strategy accordingly. The scalability of cloud technology also enables healthcare providers to extend their reach globally, as it is accessible from anywhere in the world at any time, implying that healthcare providers can offer their services in underdeveloped areas of the world without incurring substantial infrastructure expenses.
6) Innovation
The overall progress in the healthcare industry is heavily dependent on innovation and technological advancements. Cloud solutions provide tools that are perfect for fostering innovation. With the help of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Big Data Management, healthcare providers can assess data much faster and more efficiently compared to traditional methods, discover new treatments, experiment with new medicines, and speed up their research. AI & ML also helps early diagnosis with its enhanced data analytics capabilities and can offer highly personalized medical treatments based on patient’s historical data. Seamless collaboration through cloud tools increases efficiency and collaboration, thus allowing healthcare officials to better communicate and brainstorm on new treatments, reducing time spent in daily operations while enhancing innovative thinking. Since the cloud helps reduce organizational costs and capital investments, healthcare organizations can rearrange their investment strategy to prioritize R&D and innovation.⭐⭐⭐
The healthcare industry faces various challenges, such as fierce competition, rising infrastructure costs, changing regulations, fluctuations in global demand, and keeping pace with recent technological advancements. HCOs must implement efficient and effective solutions to manage these challenges and maintain a solid competitive position while achieving organizational goals. As Kartaca, we’ve assembled an unprecedented level of hands-on talent under one roof to create perfect solutions for our customers. Our team of 30+ software, network, and data engineers precisely touches on our customers’ pain points and offers lifelong solutions. Our team is trained on Google Cloud products, concepts, use cases, etc. Their technical skills to solve real-world IT challenges are validated regularly through certifications. Kartaca offers a range of tools, technologies, and consultancy services to help you make the right choices in your IT ecosystem. If you would like to know more about how Kartaca can add value to your healthcare business, please check this page and contact us.Kartaca is a Premier Partner for Google Cloud in the Sell and Service Engagement Models with “Cloud Migration” and “Data Analytics” specializations.
TL;DR
What is Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM), and how does the cloud benefit it?
RPM is the real-time transfer of patient data to healthcare professionals from remote locations. The cloud provides fast, secure, and reliable data transmission for RPM, allowing remote monitoring and timely intervention.
How does the cloud contribute to telemedicine and virtual care?
The cloud enables doctors to access patient records, diagnose remotely, and conduct virtual visits. It supports real-time collaboration and even remote surgical operations, making healthcare more accessible.
What role does the cloud play in data accessibility and security in healthcare?
The cloud facilitates easy data access for medical professionals and patients while offering strong data security through encryption and backup, ensuring data integrity.
How does the cloud help reduce costs in the healthcare industry?
Cloud solutions reduce infrastructure and maintenance costs, enabling a shift from capital expenditures to cost-effective cloud-based IT services, potentially saving up to 30%.
What is the significance of scalability in healthcare with cloud technology?
Cloud technology offers scalability, allowing healthcare providers to expand efficiently, adapt to demand fluctuations, and reach global markets without substantial infrastructure expenses.
Author: Cem Cetinguc
Published on: Oct 2,2023
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