It’s challenging to transform the healthcare industry in Kenya due to the slow pace of technology adoption and the amount of sensitive, personalized information. The healthcare system in itself is facing countless challenges in terms of lack of resources both financially and in terms of staff. It is also under strain from the rise of expectations from patients demanding digitized services. To understand these challenges better, consider the management of millions of patient records, integrating health care and social information and developing an infrastructure that can connect the many hospitals, trust, insurance givers, surgeries and clinics.
Adopting the cloud saves hospitals from all these hustles. The cloud means that health care providers no longer have to have all their software and applications on a server or computer and access it from a specific location. They can access information, programs, and data quickly without having to keep folders full of critical information on servers and computers. The cloud allows the management to store data, information, and software remotely with backup on the cloud. They can access this information from any device anywhere and at any time.
Cloud computing changes how nurses, doctors, hospitals and clinics deliver quality services to their patients at an affordable price. The cloud is revolutionizing healthcare in Kenya by making it more efficient and improving the patient experience.
Hospitals and clinics that are yet to adopt cloud-based solutions can benefit from features like:
Reduced outlay on IT Infrastructure set-up and maintenancce
Cloud applications do not need local servers as the data iS stored in a secure cloud. This means that the healthcare provider spends less as the only required facilities are internet and devices to the access application. Also, maintenance of cloud-based application is less expensive compared to locally deployed installations.
Telemedicine capabilities
Providing healthcare services through mobile technology and high tech devices is now a reality. Doctors can offer consultations, telesurgeries and patient monitoring services without having physical contact with their patient.
Data sharing abilities
The cloud gathers data that hospitals can share and combine with other technologies to come up with more comprehensive data. It also offers analytics that hospitals can use for medical research, trend spotting, referral generation to offer patients personalized care.
Streamlined collaboration in healthcare delivery
Cloud computing makes it easier for doctors to collaborate and offer care. They can share information in real time or consult with specialists via phone. Video conferencing, mobile devices and apps help the cloud speed up things through better communication remotely. Patients receive the services they need when they need it. This collaborations save money, are much more effective and convenient.
Patient portal
Patient portal provides a platform where patients can accomplish tasks that would require a phone or even multiple calls. Patients can use the portal to book appointments, referrals, request prescription refills. This improves efficiency of the clinical staff since they can focus on assisting patients who have the most urgent care and questions. This also does allow patients to provide their feedback to the healthcare provider.
Streamlined clinical workflow
A streamlined workflow allows for effective passing of information or documents from one workstation to the next. Communication is made simpler between the computer systems, so that registration, prescription, diagnostics, imaging, and laboratory information is easily passed along for correct diagnostics and to make it easier and efficient for the patient to receive proper care.
Patient billing
The cloud offers an integrated module used to bill patients and also as a point of sale at the pharmacy. Patients receive centralized and decentralized billing where the bill automatically updates once the doctor sends a test or prescription request. It also offers various payment options, generation of insurance invoices and receipts for cash patients, etc.
A cloud-based solution, like the Medicentre V3 Cloud IHMIS, allows hospitals to purchase only the software, hardware, and resources they need. These include applications, storage, and infrastructure. It also mitigates many problems faced by investors in healthcare, providers of healthcare, medical insurers, and patients. Those using it have seen how cloud technology efficiently processes and delivers data efficiently. The collaborative way it allows everyone to work plus its ability to analyze data into meaningful information. It has also reduced most of the challenges the healthcare industry faces.
Adopting cloud-based technologies helps hospitals in Kenya extend their reach, improve their patient experience and coordinate care better.
