{"id":12154,"date":"2018-07-03T20:35:10","date_gmt":"2018-07-03T15:05:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mobisoftinfotech.com\/resources\/?p=12154"},"modified":"2026-04-21T16:49:32","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T11:19:32","slug":"benefits-of-cloud-computing-in-healthcare","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mobisoftinfotech.com\/resources\/blog\/benefits-of-cloud-computing-in-healthcare","title":{"rendered":"6 Ways Cloud Computing Is Becoming the Cornerstone in Digital Health Tech"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cloud computing services are witnessing healthy adoption across multiple industries. However, healthcare is considered one of the laggards in this domain. They may have their own valid reasons for the slow adoption \u2013 right from confidentiality concerns to prompt accessibility issues. <\/span><\/p>\n

However, things are set to improve now. Even at a regulatory compliance level, it has become necessary to embrace the cloud for collaboration, data storage, and accessibility. This will drive further adoption of cloud technology among healthcare practitioners and administrators alike.<\/span><\/p>\n

The present world scenario shows that healthcare is warming up to technology in a big way. The global healthcare IT market is expected to reach <\/span>$280.25 billion by 2021<\/span><\/a>. This translates to a CAGR of 15.9% year on year (from 2016 to 2021).<\/span><\/p>\n

What Comprises of a Healthcare Cloud Ecosystem?<\/h3>\n

A key advantage of opting for cloud environment is that it is on-demand and scales exactly as per the specific business requirements. Rather than opting for costly in-house deployments that may or may not be utilized completely, cloud infrastructure ensures the main advantage of cost efficiencies. A typical cloud setup will depict the below constituents:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. The IT infrastructure and resources are consumed \u2018as a service\u2019 in cloud deployment<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. \n

    The services are delivered on a continuous basis on the model selected (IaaS, PaaS or SaaS)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  3. \n

    The deployment model can vary from the public (operated for a large industry group or to the general public), private (operated for one healthcare organization), or hybrid (combines public and private and allows data portability amongst one or more cloud deployment)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  4. \n

    The three main constituents of the ecosystem: application, data, and services are interconnected between the nodes of a cloud and allow any time, anywhere access<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Why Is Healthcare Gradually Shifting to the Cloud?<\/h3>\n

    There are some interesting dynamics that depict why the healthcare industry is willing to move to a cloud-based IT environment<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. There is an increasing need to conform to regulatory compliance like HIPAA, and technology can streamline this process significantly.<\/span><\/li>\n
    2. \n

      The ever-present need to bring down costs can be met to a great extent with cloud computing<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    3. \n

      Cloud computing is expected to assist in expanding the range and depth of care and clinical outcomes<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    4. \n

      Explosion in Big Data in this sector makes it better suited to a scalable cloud environment<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      What Data Can Be Moved to a Cloud-based Environment?<\/h3>\n

      Some of the data that has the potential to move to cloud deployment on immediate basis are as below:<\/span><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. \n

        ePHI or electronic Protected Health Information<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      2. \n

        Email communications (both internal and external)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      3. \n

        Scan results and image files <\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      4. \n

        Pharmacy data<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      5. \n

        Laboratory information systems<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      6. \n

        Clinical decision support and analytics<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      7. \n

        Databases and backups<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Advantages of Transitioning to a Cloud-based Environment<\/h3>\n
          \n
        1. Flexibility
          \n<\/b><\/b>\n

          Executives like CIO of Count Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, John Halamka, MD predict that <\/span>5 years<\/span><\/a> down the line no one will use data centers. And there is some truth to this view.<\/span><\/p>\n

          Imagine what if you invest in a costly data center and end up using only a fraction of its capabilities? Also, when you invest in an in-house data center, there are a lot of overheads in keeping it running for long (in terms of upgrades and maintenance). <\/span><\/p>\n

          In such scenarios, the cloud can prove to be a viable solution as it can scale up or down based on your specific data storage or collaboration requirement. It can quickly adapt to the evolving business demands and ensure that you get the right set of resources and services anytime you require it.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

        2. \n

          Cost-efficiency<\/b><\/p>\n

          <\/b><\/p>\n

          Cost savings and cost efficiency go hand in hand when you look to move from on-premise to the cloud. With cloud setup, you can leverage existing assets to other\/better use. You can also bring down CapEx and control operating costs. <\/span><\/p>\n

          It is proven the cloud-based software needs lesser resources for development and testing. In this age of shrinking business margins in the healthcare sector, this advantage can be a great bottom-line booster.<\/span><\/p>\n

          Take the case of The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The institution came up with a cloud-based analytics platform. This helped it to cut down underutilized infrastructure to the tune of <\/span>$5 million<\/span><\/a>.
          \n<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

        3. Collaboration With Patients<\/strong><\/strong>\n

          The scattered nature of patient data records can now be streamlined under cloud computing. What\u2019s more! It can be made accessible to any physician or healthcare practitioner anywhere at any time from any location. This not only speeds up initial diagnosis (based on historical assessment) but also its enhanced knowledge allows delivery of better patient care. Some of the ways this can be done are:
          \n<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n