The Effects of Cloud Computing on the Health Care Industry

Cloud computing is now not just about uploading your files in Yahoo! Groups or Google Communities for sharing with a common group. Cloud computing today speaks of large data and resources used by enterprises. There are many businesses and industries affected by this trend in technology. One of which is the health care sector. In this article, we will talk about the impact of cloud computing to this industry in the nearest future.

1. Record and Protect Patients’ Information Safely
There’s a saying that doctors can never tell who their patients are to prevent judgments. Patients’ information contains such confidential pieces of data that need to be protected at all times. This is the very reason why the hospital’s IT infrastructure and network must be so secured from hackers or anyone who attempt to get data illegally. Cloud computing, in its most initial state, has had issues regarding security. However now that many experts joined in to make the system really hard to break into, organizations can rest assured that there are increased levels of security and privacy in the cloud. Hospitals who want to use cloud computing must adhere to the HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act).
2. Store Data with Less Cost
Typically, businesses buy an additional storage system for backing up their data aside from the storage space where they have the resources to use. Cloud storage costs about 10 times lesser than the server space and hardware materials plus training of human resources to maintain and support the system in daily operations. Cloud computing storage requirements only adapt to the needs of the client. Hence choosing a package well from the available offerings of the vendor is critical.
3. Share Records to Authorized People
Getting access to the hospital system is prohibited unless permitted by the doctor or physician in charge. But visibility and login details are not given to patients in normal cases. With the use of cloud computing, since data are available in the cloud, patients can then log on to the system to refer to the prescription fitted to their ailments. For instance, physicians who are out of the country can give patients accounts to be able to share data to them even when he’s not physically in the clinic. Some sicknesses can lead up to death when not treated quickly. Since time is gold, understanding facts about the sickness immediately is gravely essential. Medical histories, symptoms and cures to it can be determined easily through cloud computing.
4. Less Risk for Data Loss
Cloud computing applications for health care would have constant updates which give way to raising the bar for security. While hackers are trying to get into the files in the current app, the system updates its current security measures and goes on for higher protection. Cloud technology can perform updates without causing any downtime and possible data loss in real time. This matches the efficiency requirement of hospitals to run and access their networks for 24/7.
5. Mobile Component
Unlike the usual intranet-based systems utilized in hospitals which are mostly desktop-dependent, cloud computing systems offer convenience and much mobility to its users. The cloud structure allows both healthcare professionals and authorized patients to access important files and data on a smartphone, tablet and other mobile gadgets without special permissions and settings.
Conclusion
The world is fast changing. At the heart of this change are cloud technologies that are also being accepted by the health care industry. Cloud computing which enables computers and various other mobile devices to access shared files and applications online through the Internet instead of the local environment. Medical professionals now can share and promote information among others in similar fields in different locations.