Typically, the healthcare sector lags behind other industries when it comes to embracing new technologies. Ironically this industry is embracing cloud computing on par with other industries.
Nearly one-third of healthcare sector decision makers said they are using cloud applications, and 73% said they are planning to move more applications to the cloud, according to a recent report by Accenture. Those figures fall in line with findings about cloud adoption plans in other industries, according to the report.
What’s the attraction of cloud computing that has the healthcare industry adopting it at the same pace as other industries? Basically, smaller practices are finding it economical to do away with their own modest IT operations and rely on cloud service providers for electronic health record (EHR) services, while larger institutions are building internal, private health care clouds for easier accessibility.
However, before jumping to the cloud, healthcare providers should consider the following elements before choosing a cloud services provider:
An assessment of the associated risks and benefits should be taken. Evaluate all potential cloud computing service providers to understand key areas from compliance and data location to availability, recovery and viability. Ensure the service provider’s security, access, and control methods surpass, or at least equals, your current security measures. As I stated in a previous blog post (Due Diligene Is In, Google Health Is Out), perform due diligence on the provider. Even if the service provider is a well known multi-national firm don’t assume vendor due diligence isn’t needed.
As healthcare providers rapidly embrace this new technology, it’s important that they assess all of their needs and options so that the right solution and cloud computing partner is chosen.
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