Cloud Computing Technology and Health Care IT

Abstract

Cloud computing refers to the easily accessible technology system resources, such as computing power, and data storage, without being managed directly by the user.  Cloud plays a vital role by adding value to the health care sector and improves productivity in organizations through reduced cost, easy data access, and enhanced security. Institutions that invest in Cloud computing guarantee backup solutions and reliable disaster recovery without the arduous work of setting them up on a physical device.  It is also imperative to note that cloud technology is designed to be adjusted and scaled to meet the changing technology requirements in the health care sector. As the industry grows, it is agreeable that the need for more storage and bandwidth to effectively cope with the rising traffic to the website. However, one must understand that Cloud has several disadvantages, such as hijacking accounts and data breach cases, but the benefits outweigh the disadvantages.

Key Words: Cloud Computing, Technology, Health Care, Data breach, Cost-efficiency

 

 

 

Cloud Computing Technology and Health Care IT

Over the years, the U.S health industry has experienced a massive shift in the storage, consumption, sharing, and generation of health care data.  The health care industry has enhanced data management practices from the conventional ways of storing data to digitization technology. Health care providers are increasingly leveraging cloud computing technology to optimize workflows, gain efficiency, and lower the costs linked to healthcare delivery (Kamani, 2019). In the U.S, Microsoft Azure, a cloud computing system, is the ideal cloud computing model in the health care industry. Like in any other industry, the requirements for cloud computing in the health care industry comprise; knowledge of agile development, have programming skills, and familiarity with operating systems.  In the health care sector, the stakeholders and managers need to outline responsibilities for cloud-enabled services, adjustments on the management frameworks to effectively implement cloud computing. An organization also requires an internet connection to access Cloud. Telemedicine capabilities, patients' ownership of data, access to high power analytics, and ease of interoperability are some of the steps accomplished in the health care industry thanks to Cloud computing.

Telemedicine Capabilities

Telemedicine refers to the process of remotely treating, diagnosing, and offering clinical services to patients through the means of telecommunication technology. On the other hand, telehealth comprises telemedicine and non-clinical services such as virtual provider referrals, physician-to-physician discussion, and virtual health care training. It is crucial to note that remote accessibility of data is perhaps the most significant benefit of cloud data storage to the health care sector. The integration of Cloud technology in the health care industry has contributed immensely to improving several functions related to health care, such as virtual medication adherence and post-hospitalization care plans. Also, it boosts accessibility to health care services through telehealth.  Kamani (2019) notes that Telehealth cloud applications and systems permit easy sharing of patient data and information and improve patient health care coverage and accessibility during the preventive, treatment, and recovery phase. For instance, CareLink SmartSync ^TM Device Manager enables one to connect through Bluetooth technology allowing support of implant from a distance, screen share services at implant and reduces the need for direct interaction with patients and the need for PPEs. CareLink Express ^TM Mobile refers to a portable tablets solution that health care providers use to integrate the patient's permanent record in CareLink. The App provides an avenue where health care providers can analyze clinic settings remotely hence reducing wait duration. Other Apps such as the Reveal LINQ ^TM Mobile manager helps in patient registration, patient education, and enrolment. CareLink Network allows Clinical Officers to diagnose patients remotely and monitor their progression, reducing patient office visits, saving time for clinicians and patients.

Patients' Ownership of Data. Patient advocates have raised concerns relating to the patients' information stored on externally hosted platforms. Many view the process as one that is vulnerable to privacy issues and data breaches. For that case, many Government and private organizations have opted to entrust patients' information to cloud computing providers such as Apple, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon (The Lancet, 2019). Cloud Computing Technology democratizes data and information allowing patients to have control over their health. Patients' ownership of data improves patients' involvement in decisions concerning their health, leading to accurate conclusions. It is easier to archive and retrieve patients' information and data when keeping them on the Cloud. The system reduces data redundancy and leads to an increase in uptime. The backups in the cloud computing system are automated, making it much simpler and easier to recover information. Mr. Eric Topol, a U.K health official, has agreed that advancement in cloud computing technology will transform the delivery of health and streamline workflow to boost the accuracy of personalized treatment and diagnosis. On 23^rd 2019, the heads of the United States' health sector wrote to the Congress Committee of Energy and Commerce to swiftly rush the process of coming up with laws that will ensure patients' data is protected. Therefore, it is clear that Cloud computing securely stores patient's information, allowing patients' control over the use of their data.

Access to High Power Analytics

It is essential first to know that health care data is of significant importance, whether structured or unstructured. Relevant patients information can be collected and stored in Cloud. The Artificial Intelligence algorithms on the patients' information stored in the Cloud can accelerate medical research under big data analytics. The advancement in cloud computing technology has made it easier for people to process large data sets, hence helping decision-making, patient treatment, and medicine manufacturing (Kaman, 2019. It is also imperative to understand that carrying out analytics on patient's information and data can help health care providers develop more personalized care plans. The system also ensures that crucial patients' details are captured and recorded when prescribing treatment. Data analysis related to cloud information is also carried out when extracting patients' data. In August 2019, a U.S-based cloud computing institution known as EPIC, an electronic medical records software vendor, announced that it would compile and store information from 25 million patients to help in research related to medical practice (The Lancet, 2019). Mayo Clinic and Google also came up with a partnership program to collect, compile and store records from millions of patients to effectively contribute to research initiatives in the health care sector. In June 2019, Cerner, another U.S-based company like EPIC, which controls a significant global market for Cloud service provision, announced another partnership with Amazon web services. In the league, Amazon web services will provide access to crucial innovative analytics and services related to machine learning that will transform patient care delivery. Apart from telemedicine and data privacy, it is also essential to conclude that Cloud computing plays a vital role in medical research that aims to improve health care delivery.

Ease of Interoperability. Interoperability focuses on establishing integration of data in the health care sector without focusing much on the origin of the data. Due to interoperability, health care providers have access to extensive data and patient information to facilitate good health care planning and delivery. Cloud computing technology provides an avenue for healthcare providers to efficiently access patients' information gathered from different sources, share with colleagues, and provide timely treatment and prescription. The technology also allows health care workers to discuss virtually, make opinions and come up with decisions irrespective of geographical limitations. Storing patients' data in the Cloud also promotes easy access to information in other health care segments such as health insurance, payments, and pharmaceuticals (Kamani, 2019). Cloud technology allows easy access and data transfer to different stakeholders in the healthcare industry, promoting efficiency.

Concerns and Limitations

Data security, confidentiality issues, and hijacking of accounts are some of the concerns regarding cloud environments.  Cloud computing services must meet the HIPAA recommendations and data privacy and security guidelines concerning the health sector.  Another problem is that Cloud costs are quite unpredictable since they vary depending on the usage. Therefore, it is essential to use tools to assess the costs of different types of cloud environments before installing. Restructuring the IT team in the health care institution is another concern that affects cloud adoption in the health care sector.  The IT team in any health care organization adopting Cloud should shift from hardware server support to cloud workloads support. Sometimes, the shifting process is full of challenges since it might require hiring extra specialists to implement cloud adoption. One of the limitations of the Cloud is that the providers have sole control over the system. Consumers have less control over the infrastructure since it is monitored and managed by the seller. Data security concerns and the fear of losing patients' information sometimes discourage organizations from investing in cloud computing. Another hindrance is the failure to have enough cyber security experts to carry out the adoption process (Congressional Research Service, CRS, 2020, Page 9). To effectively manage cloud computing technology, organizations need to have enough qualified IT specialists in place.

Regulations and Standards

The "privacy rule" in the United focuses on establishing a standard that protects specific health care information across the country. For this reason, the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, HHS, issued guidelines for health care organizations to implement the HIPAA. Therefore, cloud computing in the health care sector is regulated by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, HIPAA. The privacy rule standards aim to address the disclosure and utilization of patient's health information, referred to as "protected information." The implementation of the rule aims at helping individuals understand that the privacy of their health information is crucial and should not be disclosed or used without their consent (HHS, 2021). Under HHS, there is an office referred to as the Office for Civile Rights, OCR, which is mandated and responsible for enforcing and implementing the privacy rule. The rule allows health care workers to use important information about patients for research and other patient treatment programs while observing the privacy of the owners of the information. Section 261 to 264 of the HIPAA outlines that the secretary of HHS should make public the standards concerning electronic exchange, privacy, and security of health information. The HIPAA allows the secretary to enlighten the public and patients at large about the privacy concerning health information. The HIPAA privacy rule applies to all health care providers in the United States who transmit electronic information, health care plans, and health care clearinghouses (HHS, 2021). The health care plans covered under HIPAA include individuals or organizations who provide insurance health care covers. The standards and regulations under HIPAA apply to all health care providers across the nation who use billing services or transact electronic information directly. According to the law, health care providers comprise; institutions that provide health care services, physicians, dentists, nurses and other practitioners defined by Medicare. Extra laws that regulate Cloud computing include; cyber security information sharing Act of 2015 and the California consumer privacy Act of 2018.

According to HIPAA, an institution is not allowed to disclose or use protected information about patients unless the considerations meet the law's requirements or are authorized in the form of writing by the person affected. HIPAA works together with the privacy rule and majorly focuses on electronically protected health information. The Act has established three crucial requirements for compliance; physical, technical, and administrative. Each of the three categories has specific provisions to meet. Other Acts, such as the authorization act, helps in ensuring that cloud computing adoption meets the requirements of their need (Congressional Research Service, CRS, 2020, Page 9). The federal security modernizations act also plays a vital role in boosting the standards of cloud environments. Regulating and standardizing Cloud computing services ensure that consumers get the best services, providers improve their services,  the data breach is minimized, and security and privacy are maximized.

Current Trends in Health Care Cloud Computing

Current trends in health care cloud computing comprise; data automation and storage, market value increase, the need for cyber security, HIPAA and cloud computing, cloud computing, and IoT support. (Mathews 2019), ascertains that the IoT refers to a network of connected devices significantly impacting the health care industry through improved technology. The devices can analyze data at the point of collection instead of transmitting data to the Cloud. Since the devices have the possibility of terabytes of data, the in-place processing devices can significantly reduce time wasted and enhance efficiency in the system. The IoT is one of the technologies taking the health care industry by storm. It is predicted that the market for IoT devices is expected to rise to about $ 500 billion by the year 2025 significantly. The increasing market value of IoT devices indicates how the devices are transforming the health care sector.

Individuals concerned with Cloud computing in the health care industry are also pushing for data automation to improve efficiency further. A combination of automation and cloud technology can streamline the intake and discharge processes in health care facilities, reducing paperwork (Mathews 2019). The health care industry has made significant steps towards advanced technology, and the next crucial step will be automating data collection and storage. Since data breach has been a concern in health care cloud computing, there is an effort to enhance cyber security and leverage the benefits of cloud technology.  With the availability of network systems, especially those found in cloud computing, many health care providers are always worried about the security of the patients' data and information. It is imperative to understand that medical information is quite essential to thieves than information relating to credit cards. According to Mathews (2019),  the average cost of a data breach relating to health is about $380 per record, more than double compared of other industries. There is a need for IT teams to shift from functionality of IT systems to data security to prevent data breach cases and violate the HIPAA effectively. HIPAA provides a guideline for organizations and people to strengthen security and privacy concerning cloud computing adoption.  HIPAA permits all health care facilities to use cloud computing, but they should consider the privacy and security of the patients' data. Market value for the cloud computing business continues to increase year by year. Experts predict that the health care Cloud Computing market will significantly rise. In 2018, the market was worth $8.5billion and was expected to grow to $55billion by 2025. Health care providers can now easily access patients' information through portals and have limitless storage of data. The growth of technology in the health care industry will significantly boost remote collaboration and sharing of health information, which was difficult some years back.

Therefore, it is evident that cloud computing has many advantages in the health sector compared to in-house services. Cost-efficiency, reliability, and time-saving are some of the benefits of health care Cloud Computing. The Federal Government has established several laws that guide Cloud computing services in the health care sector to enhance patient data efficiency, security, and privacy. The health industry is among the industries that have significantly strived hard to shift their technological needs to cloud computing. Telemedicine in the health industry has been facilitated by cloud computing. Other capabilities include; patent data ownership, interoperability, and easy access to research material in the health care sector. Apart from the numerous benefits, cloud computing is still vulnerable to data breaches and raises privacy concerns in the health care sector.