When it comes to health information management, healthcare organizations often rely on complicated filing systems that make accessing patient data both challenging and time-consuming. Luckily, cloud based solutions for healthcare are making it easier for offices and medical practitioners to keep track of those documents without taking up additional space in the office.
While cloud-based solutions for healthcare IT are on the rise, you need to make sure they’re the right choice for your business. This means you need to understand the pros and cons of implementing cloud technology in your office.
The Pros of Cloud Based Solutions For Healthcare
Cloud-based healthcare IT management is designed to help you streamline your office’s operations, but there are many more benefits than just simplifying your electronic health records and document organization system. Here are a few of the key pros of implementing cloud technology.
Easy Information Access
One of the most convenient features of cloud-based solutions for healthcare IT is that it makes accessing information simple and fast. Instead of searching through paper files for hours to find that one missing document, you’re able to rapidly search the database with a few basic keystrokes. Even better, you’re able to access those files and share information with the necessary parties from any internet-enabled device.
This makes it easier for patients to stay on top of their medical histories and allows for greater communication with other healthcare providers.
It Grows With Your Business
As your business grows, you’ll need to find space for those additional files, records, and documents. If your office is already crowded, finding that space is not only expensive, but it’s tough! You’ll have to consider moving to off-site storage, investing in a larger office, or even expanding into other rooms that you’d rather use for seeing patients or storing products.
Cloud-platform solutions grow with your business without forcing you to find additional space. Everything gets stored in a secure cloud database, not on-site in your office.
Increased Storage Without Added Hardware
If you’re housing digital records on-site, you know that the more records you have, the more storage space you’ll need. This means investing in additional computers, hard drives, and memory banks just to keep up with the demand. With the adoption of cloud services, you gain access to additional storage space without having to invest in new hardware.
Enhanced Security
Paper files have a way of going missing or getting lost frequently. This makes it hard to keep sensitive information and details secure at all times. With cloud-based healthcare solutions for IT, you’re able to keep your sensitive info secure at all times. The hosting provider goes to great lengths to keep your files safe and protected, implementing new and updated security measures every day.
The Cons of Cloud-Based Healthcare Solutions
As with any new service or storage solution, there are going to be a few cons you need to be aware of. This doesn’t mean implementing cloud computing in healthcare and information management technology isn’t in your best interest. It just means you need to be mindful of how those downsides might impact your business.
Changing Compliance Demands
Ultimately, introducing any new type of process to your business means taking a long, hard look at your compliance standards. Before you can implement cloud-based healthcare solutions for your operation, you’ll need to make sure the new system will satisfy all HIPAA compliance standards. If it doesn’t or you have concerns about the way the service provider works, you’ll want to keep looking.
Remember, dedicated cloud-based solutions for healthcare IT providers understand the requirements businesses face. They’ll make sure your new system is HIPAA compliant before it goes live.
Steep Learning Curve
As with any new process, it will take time for you to learn how to use your new cloud-based healthcare system properly. You’ll need to be patient with yourself as you figure out the machine learning of your new system.
Don’t rush it—when you do, you’ll end up making mistakes that can cost your clients’ money, time, and privacy That said, you can always register for a workshop to learn how to use your new system more quickly and more effectively. Once you understand how things work, you’ll find that the system simplifies and streamlines your data management processes and will continue to do so for years to come.
READY TO GET STARTED?
Investing in cloud technology is the easiest way to take control of your office’s data management process.
If you’re interested but are unsure, don’t hesitate to reach out. At Lumos, we understand the unique challenges the healthcare industry faces every day and we’ll help you figure out the best Lumos cloud offers for your practice’s needs.
