Exclusive article at EMRIndustry.com by Max Gottlieb, Content Manager, Senior Planning
The cloud is here to stay. Whether you like it or not, it’s only getting more ubiquitous as time goes on. It’s hugely popular for personal use and although it’s existed in the healthcare industry for years, it’s finally sophisticated and secure enough that it’s truly become a viable alternative to traditional client server systems. There are multiple benefits from cost, to ease of use, to collaboration facilitation. If you haven’t made the switch yet, keep reading to find out more.
Easy Setup and Maintenance:
First and foremost, implementation is much easier with cloud systems because all you need to set up your practice’s record system is a computer with Internet access. It can be accessed from anywhere there’s a secure Internet connection and doctors who aren’t physically in the office can still collaborate from home. With cloud computing, you no longer need an in-house server with hardware maintenance and software installation. Be sure to ask your cloud-based EHR vendor how often their software is updated. Some companies include software updates within their monthly fees while others charge extra. Know what’s included with your plan before signing up.
Less Costly:
For small or newer practices, foregoing the cost of an in-house server can be particularly attractive. With most cloud systems, all you need to pay is a monthly fee. However, since you aren’t personally in control of your data, check with the vendor whether they or a third party hosts the health records. This is important information because if you ever switch vendors or change storage methods, you need to know how to access and transfer your patient records.
IT Costs and Efforts are reduced:
The point of a cloud-based system is to reduce the headache associated with servers, setup, and updates. Your provider should automatically update your system without any effort on your part. You will no longer need an IT team to test and troubleshoot your servers—this will all be handled by the company you choose and if you do happen to have a problem, their customer service should be able to easily assist you. One thing worth bearing in mind, however, is that all companies, no matter how big or small, have outages or disruptions from time to time. Although it does not happen frequently, when it does happen, it is obviously a major inconvenience.
One of the main anxieties people have when they think about cloud-based computing is security. Rightly so, security should be a top concern when dealing with something as sensitive as a patient’s health record. Any cloud-based EHR company worth doing business with, however, should be using the same security and encryption technology that credit card companies and banks use. Of course you shouldn’t forget ask how they encrypt data, but rest assured, technology exists to keep your information secure.
Data breaches aren’t the only way your information can be compromised so know your vendor’s history and how long they’ve been in business. Using an older, more expensive company may be worth it because chances are they’re more financially stable. The last thing you want is for your vendor to go out of business and lose all of your data. That’d be the worst security breach imaginable. If they do go out of business, however, do they have a backup plan for your data? It’s better to know these things ahead of time rather than wait for a disaster to strike.
Max Gottlieb is the content manager for Senior Planning. Senior Planning provides free assistance to seniors or the disabled and specializes in long-term care.
