By Rebecca Vesely
In an age when health care organizations are managing massive amounts of (often sensitive) data, cloud computing can help with storage, analytics and security of that data. Here are the basics on cloud computing in health care.
What is the cloud?
Cloud computing is the advanced use of information and communications technology to remotely deliver a range of services including programs, storage, processing and tools. Think about your own personal cloud uses. Do you use Google Drive to create documents? The iCloud to safeguard the photos you take on your iPhone? Dropbox to share files among colleagues? Most of us are using the cloud on a daily basis.
How are health care organizations using the cloud?
At first, hospitals, insurers and others started using cloud computing for backup recovery of files in case of a natural or other disaster (think post-Katrina). Today, health care organizations are moving whole systems to the cloud, and applications can also be run off the cloud. Some electronic health record (EHR) systems are run entirely from the cloud, and more EHR vendors are offering cloud services to clients.
What are the pros and cons of cloud computing in health care?
Pros: No issue of data recovery in case of a disaster or cyberattack; the costs are usually pay-as-you go instead of large upfront capital expenditures, and can reduce expensive compensation and competition for experienced IT personnel; many cloud companies offer analytics tools for population health management.
Cons: Organizations have to give up some control to an outside vendor; retrieval of data can have a lag-time; getting all the data back at some point if they switch vendors; making sure the vendor has solid security and adheres to privacy standards such as HIPAA.
What are some questions reporters can ask about cloud computing?
- Are hospitals or insurers in your area using cloud computing? For what services?
- How are they ensuring the security/privacy of these systems?
- What have been the effects on the bottom line?
- How is use of the cloud affecting patient care services (e.g.: more advanced analytics on care quality, population health management).
Resources
- A fascinating overview of cloud computing in health care (2014)
- Acceleration of cloud computing in health care (with data points)
- Guide to examples of cloud computing in health care
Rebecca Vesely, AHCJ’s health information technology topic leader, is writing blog posts, tip sheets, articles and gathering resources to help our members cover the complex world of heath information technology. If you have questions or suggestions for future resources on the topic, please send them to rebecca@healthjournalism.org.
