Benefits of Cloud computing in Medical industry

The medical industry has been one of the slowest industries to embrace modern technology. Security and privacy of patient information were the main issues why medical industry was so hesitant to adopt Cloud computing. Medical institutions have chosen to save data behind secure firewalls and on-site instead of keeping the data on something as intangible as cloud computing.

However, recent government mandates have enhanced the evolution of cloud computing.  Especially now, that all medical records must be online.  Online records enable quick and easy sharing and access to patient’s records anywhere. 

According to the latest research made by MarketsandMarkets reveals that the medical cloud computing market, which is currently only about 4% of the industry, is supposed to grow up to approx. $5.4 billion by 2017.

Medical industry uses Cloud computing mainly as online storage for patient’s data. Here are the benefits of using cloud computing:

• Scalable

Cloud computing is different than on-site hardware structure; you can easily scale up or down your cloud storage solutions. Medical service providers have a larger number of data for an individual patient, ranging from prescriptions to tests, to appointment information. Cloud servers or storage solutions can be instantly scaled up to operate the additional data.

• Mobility

Now doctors do not have to be in their workplaces to research patient information. Busy physicians sometimes only have time in the evening to analyze patient records, tests, or do a research. This meant that doctors often were stuck at the office after working hours. By using cloud computing, doctors can easily analyze their medical records remotely.

• Cost Reduction

Cloud computing can reduce costs significantly for both patients and the medical institutions. The patient no longer needs to pay for the same test twice when they go to different doctors or specialists. Medical institutions do not have to pay for the on-site hardware solution, storage, and data maintenance personnel.

• Security 

The biggest reason of most medical service providers have been unwilling to embrace cloud technologies is the scare of data breaches, which could reveal important patient information to the general public. Cloud service providers are able to fulfill the requirements of maintaining high standard privacy settings.

• Sharing

Doctors have major issues when they cannot have access to multiple test records of other doctors. Cloud computing solves this issue. It makes the data sharing and collaboration with other doctors quick and easy. The information is shared in real time, so it increases the speed and efficiency of patient care. 

Most of cloud computing companies are offering a various cloud computing solutions and cloud apps exclusively for the medical industry. Usually it includes software that enables to record, medical and drug records, medical billing and imaging facilities. The market forecasts that there will be a significant growth of cloud users in medical industry. 

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