How Can Hospitals Devise Successful Hybrid Cloud Strategies?

Cloud computing is not something that has recently developed. Your friends from the IT industry would have said this word like a million times. It means storing and accessing data over the Internet—the cloud. The virtual cloud. It incorporates services like servers, databases, networking, software, analytics, and intelligence.

So, the cloud is not new. But, it is novel for the healthcare industry. This change of wind from the traditional to cloud approach is recent. It correlates to the COVID-19 pandemic. But, this change was not easy for an industry with the mindset - if it works, don’t fix it.

It required a complete transformation. From tearing down the existing infrastructure to embracing new frameworks and operating costs. But the transformation is the right choice. It led to better data management, faster processing, and enhanced way to manage outdated systems.

From patient admission to patient-doctor interaction and backend administration, everything has changed. In the digital world, the healthcare industry can grow exponentially.

What Is Hybrid Cloud Strategy?

A private cloud is the on-premises data center, managed by the user. A public cloud is a cloud or data storage service managed by a third party. A hybrid cloud environment combines these two. This allows sharing of data and applications between the two.

Why Use Hybrid Strategy?

Every industry is becoming data-intensive, and so is healthcare. But making a complete move to the cloud by dropping legacy solutions may not be possible because

• Data is vulnerable in the cloud and attracts hackers. Getting cloud secure is very important in this case.

• Moving all your legacy systems to the cloud may not be feasible. A few processes need to be completed on-premise.

• A huge sum of money is required to move the entire system to the cloud. And do not forget the maintenance cost.

That’s why many healthcare services are slowly moving towards a hybrid environment.

Why Are Hybrid Strategies Growing Popular in the Healthcare Industry?

Today, everyone wants the best of the best. So, compromises in the healthcare industry are not an option. The healthcare industry has to embrace innovations to become more reliable and efficient. We all know that the patient is the center of the healthcare industry. And what do patient needs? Healthcare to be affordable, fast, reliable, and accessible. So, we cannot ignore the need for a cloud-based solution.

The total percentage of GDP spent in 2019 on healthcare in the US alone was [17.1%](https://www.commonwealthfund.org/international-health-policy-center/system-stats/percentage-gdp-spent-health-care). India does not sanction a big chunk of its GDP on healthcare. But it is increasing. If you are spending a large sum of money on something, you want it to be efficient.

The healthcare cloud computing market is predicted to reach 65 billion USD by 2025. And that too with an impressive CAGR of 18%. So, healthcare organisations have become more open to cloud-based healthcare IT solutions.

Cloud solutions sound impressive. But they cannot fulfil all the needs - infrastructure, services, costs, etc. Even the most advanced systems need hybrid ways of operation. So, we can use the best of both worlds, i.e., cloud and on-premise. It will help with data privacy as well as accessibility.

With hybrid strategies, you can expect rapidity in healthcare solutions delivery. They will also help with scalability, faster services, and the latest tools and technologies to offer solutions.

The Problems and Concerns With the Current Infrastructure

It’s not that the current system is completely outdated. But it does not go hand in hand with the increasing demands. Here are some undeniable challenges of the current infrastructure.

• They have higher operating costs with lower efficiency. This, in turn, increases the cost of healthcare in the country.

• There are errors in compiling patients’ health history data. If you change the hospital, you have to start from scratch. Small mistakes can lead to big problems.

• Lack of data transparency and flow. It is common in the healthcare insurance industry.

• Poorly coordinated healthcare in the country makes collaboration in remote settings difficult.

Moreover, the health industry can benefit from AI and Machine Learning. But this technology relies greatly on data. The security risk at the local data center hinders the integration of these technologies. These reasons make the current infrastructure outdated.

Why Do Hospitals and the Healthcare Sector Need to Embrace Hybrid Cloud Strategies?

When we want to pass some important message we do not write a letter anymore. We drop a message or an e-mail. Why? Because it is faster, reliable, and efficient. It is not that we cannot write a letter. We sure can. But is it efficient in today’s world? No. The same is with the traditional healthcare infrastructure.

The healthcare industry has been using costly legacy infrastructures for a long time now. They could justify that because there were no better options. But with the introduction of cloud strategies things have changed.

The thing is - the healthcare sector generates massive amounts of data. Patient admissions, health history, diagnosis, doctor interactions, discharges, fees - the list goes on. The data is not getting any less.

How are cloud strategies helpful?

• Hybrid clouds system make data more accessible.

• Allow healthcare to evolve while adhering to compliance standards and regulations.

• The cloud system is more secure. The integration also protects data centers from potential cyber-attacks.

• The current cloud systems have attained efficiency and maturity. Thus, they can easily be adopted industry-wide.

But, adopting cloud technologies isn’t just about the redundant storage of raw data. A Hybrid cloud-based environment will help with the seamless integration of other technologies.

The healthcare industry is spending a lot on maintaining legacy systems. With hybrid strategies, you can reduce operating costs. You will also see a dramatic increase in efficiency and performance.

Why an Efficient Hybrid Cloud Strategy Is the Way Forward

Wireless tech, along with cloud computing, has advanced rapidly. It led to systems that interact, meet, and overlap at many levels in a healthcare facility. It means the systems are agile and help create smooth experiences for patients. Things happen fast without any hiccups.

A hybrid cloud strategy can help us address the lack of proper medical staff in rural areas. Specialists usually live in metro cities. But they can now diagnose and prescribe a treatment without travelling long distances. This way, we can save both time and money without compromising the quality of treatment for remote patients. People are becoming aware of telemedicine and telehealth. They are embracing the convenience that it provides.

Using Hybrid Cloud, we can install systems for healthcare facilities as well as for paying patients to make everyone’s lives easier.

There is a sudden growth and demand for cloud-based ecosystems in the healthcare industry. It is because the patients demand a more new-age experience that is not as elaborate and tedious as it used to be. Healthcare providers can now rely on robust systems that analyse, process, and store patient data. And with private clouds, they can have bespoke solutions that meet their needs. They can achieve all this without compromising on efficiency and security.

How Secure and Compliant Is the System?

There is no doubt that a hybrid cloud setup is agile and efficient with all the performance chops. However, the authorities will be hesitant to adopt these new systems. The concerns about security, compliance, and sustainability are valid. But modern-day cloud services are equally secure as the legacy methods, if not more.

If you understand the various layers of cloud architecture, you will see how sustainable, reliable, fast, and revolutionary they are. You can easily perform all the core operations on a hybrid cloud setup much more efficiently than outdated systems.

How Do You Devise a Strategy That Is Right for Your Needs?

A cutting-edge system will soon be outdated if it is not designed strategically. Consider your performance needs to plan a hybrid cloud system for your facility. You cannot ignore maintenance and cost-effectiveness as well. You must pay great attention to aligning the technology with your business. Here is how you do it.

Step 1: Analyse your current IT setup.

Check if your current IT setup meets your needs. If not, where does it fall short? The last few decades have seen exponential growth in IT infrastructure. So, it is vital to design a connected IT infrastructure with the flexibility to adapt to new changes.

Step 2: Keep future-proofing in mind.

Initial planning while installing a cloud-based setup is the most important. With innovations in tech happening every day, you need to keep the future in mind. It shouldn’t happen that you install a system today that becomes obsolete in a year or so. You can ask a few questions.

What does the future look like for tech? What are the innovations expected in upcoming years? Are we a part of an industry that can rapidly adapt to the changes?

Step 3: Explore.

When you have decided on what problems a cloud-based system should solve for you, explore the different solutions present in the market. This way, you get a better understanding of the capabilities of hybrid cloud systems.

Step 4: Decide what will suit you the best.

The Healthcare industry is different than the rest. While deciding with whom to collaborate, keeping their experience in the Industry in mind can help you big time. Sit with them and discuss which hybrid cloud strategy will best suit your needs while being efficient.

Step 5: Take into account integrating SaaS applications and services.

SaaS applications and digital services are going to be the norms. Sooner or later, you will have to integrate them into the suite of services you offer. So, it is better to design a hybrid cloud strategy that can deploy these services down the road.

To Sum It Up

Hybrid cloud systems will run most of the operations at healthcare facilities in the future. And their security will be a deciding factor in earning the trust of the industry. But the prioritisation of security along with efficiency, agility, and reliability will ensure that the healthcare industry will embrace the digital change for good.