Large hospitals, medical groups, and doctor’s offices are facing new electronic health records (EHR) requirements. One of the largest obstacles is the newly revised standards for medical coders, called ICD-10. Hackers target hospital organizations in an attempt to use ransomeware attacks to pilfer money, and they take client records to steal personal information to use at a later time. Cloud solutions, like those provided by TOSS C3, can update your systems as new requirements need to be met, and protect the data stored against offsite attacks.

The Need to Upgrade
Big data has become integral in providing solutions for the healthcare industry. The conversion of ICD-9 to ICD-10 can create quite a challenge for healthcare companies that are not prepared. ICD-9 codes were 3 to 5 digits in length and numbered just over 14,000, while the new ICD-10 codes are 3 to 7 digits and number over 68,000. This data can be better handled through the cloud. The cloud can connect the coders and departments in real time. Having the ability to connect anywhere easily by just logging in gives the users the ability to access materials and reports on the fly. No waiting.

The number of computers that will require upgrades across the country is huge. How many computers will one hospital need? A clinic? Your company? A cloud solutions provider can set you up, and get you the peace of mind you need for the upcoming increase in your computers, network, and personnel.

The Battle Against Ransomware
Hackers are good at what they do. Large anti-virus companies spend time and money to research how hackers break into the best encrypted software. Some companies hire white hats (hackers who use their powers for good) to break into their own code to see if there are any vulnerabilities. The key to effective anti-virus software is the updates. Updates should be issued immediately. A cloud solutions provider can help you decide the best route to take for your business. In some cases, a cloud solution may help to a degree, but a hybrid cloud solution would work better for your needs. For more information get the book ‘Easy Prey: How to Protect Your Business From Data Breach, Cybercrime and Employee Fraud’

The Requirements Only the Cloud Can Offer
Two of the largest reasons to upgrade to the cloud is a need to access increasing amounts of information, and the adoption of secure protocols across multiple devices. HealthITExchange brings two good points to the table considering these topics:

1) “The importance of providing patient care with the correct records and information is widely understood. Moreover, information needs to be accessible at any time by anyone providing care. Cloud computing provides the flexibility of accessible data from a number of secure endpoints. From operating rooms, to examining rooms, to rehab facilities, information continuity is most effective when it’s accessible to the right people.”

2) “Patients don’t need to worry that an executive or doctor is secretly accessing the network using his/her iPad or iPhone when there is no need for them to. Cloud-based applications have security at the application level – not the device level. In other words, there is no risk of patient information being accessed directly from the device. This level of security opens up health care IT departments to make better use of consumer-based hardware that they are already familiar with, such as an iPhone.”

It’s important that healthcare professionals rationalize applications and create their own cloud-based strategies that take advantage of the cloud in their organization. It is also important to have the right cloud solutions company available to make the transitions needed in a forward-moving technological age.