Improving Patient Safety & Security with the Cloud

Here is Ambra’s final #NHITweek blog post!

We have come a long way, but there is still much uncertainty revolving around “the cloud” in healthcare. Many organizations hesitate about switching away from their current systems to a cloud-based structure. Cloud technology can offer many benefits to health organizations, including, most importantly, improvements in patient care and safety. 

The cloud allows faster time-to-care delivery 

By using cloud solutions, physicians can reduce the number of errors, track patient performance, and receive immediate information to make more prompt and effective decisions. Anything that delays real-time access to data can be problematic in delivering proper care. For example, CDs, the method traditionally used to exchange medical images, can cause significant delays in care. According to an Ambra Health survey, healthcare facilities are wasting over 84 days per year on CD related tasks like upload, burning, and patient data matching.

It can take patients days or weeks to receive their imaging results when dealing with outdated CDs. This is a critical time for a patient who may be ill with a chronic condition. Patients would have to wait long periods of time to get results back or view their medical images. The cloud allows for significantly shorter waiting periods, and therefore, an accelerated treatment process.

Reduce radiation with a reduction in CDs

Cloud technology allows for reduction in duplicate exams by eliminating CDs. Sharing and receiving medical images via the cloud allows for instant sharing of medical data and eliminates the need for duplicate exams due to lost or late CD exams. Reducing the need for additional images reduces risk of over exposure to radiation. This is especially beneficial for pediatric patients.

At Stanford Children’s Health, Ambra has reduced the number of disparate systems. By moving to the cloud, Stanford Children’s has been able to cut costs, move towards one singular system, and has significantly reduced redundant examinations. Children are considered more at risk to radiation effects than adults since exposure levels are higher, making dose management paramount. 

Cloud based architecture provides a secure internet framework, so physicians and referrals can share medical images in real time. The cloud ultimately provides a more efficient method of sharing medical data, improving patient outcomes and long-term safety.