Finding More Efficiencies in a Cloud-Based Data Backup
There are specific necessities when it comes to healthcare providers, medical images and data backup. From the radiologist looking to pull an image from an archive to a surgeon needing an image for reference while in the operating room – having on-demand access to these images is a complete necessity. However, how many healthcare professionals can actually say they have dependable access to these images?
It wasn’t that long ago that providers shopped around for a PACS and found they had limited options. In most cases, the PACS could only be installed on-premise. This involved making room/physical space for the system, hiring contractors to install it, then going through a lengthy migration process. One of the unforeseen issues that the on-premise solution comes with is a lack of support once the implementation process has been completed. This is not something that happens with cloud-based systems.
Cloud PACS have emerged to give providers more options in how they archive, access and share medical images and HL7 data. When it comes to data backup there are advantages in the cloud.
Data backup with an on-premise solution doesn’t come with any disaster recovery measures that will ensure data is available should a natural disaster strike in the region. With a cloud-based solution, data backup is accompanied by disaster recovery solutions because the data is living at multiple data centers. This means a facility can be completely destroyed yet the data lives on.
Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is a delivery model that offers many advantages to hosting software in-house. First, there is no implementation hassle, no need to buy extra hardware, and no maintenance involved. Furthermore, you don’t have to buy expensive updates or experience downtime while the updates are being installed. IT staff no longer have to configure networks and VPNs, which means they can spend more time keeping your systems up and running.
One of the biggest advantages to a cloud-based solution is in the ability to share data. Think about all the images that have been lost due to mishandling CDs on which the images are burned. Also, think about the time and expense related to CD burning and the space the technology takes up in the facility. With a cloud-based solution, patients don’t have to carry their images around and risk losing them. Nor do they have to worry about incorrect burning techniques that make their images unreadable. A cloud-based solution makes these images available through a secure URL.
If you’re looking for the data backup advantages that come with the cloud, contact OffSite Image Management today and tell us about your needs. Our solutions are industry-leading, safe, secure and make your images always available to you and to the people you work with at other facilities.