The past several years have marked a “before” and “after” in the world of communications. On a global scale, organizations across the spectrum have undergone radical changes to their infrastructure, particularly in high-stakes industries such as healthcare and, specifically, elder care.
Evolving protocols and regulations, increased workloads, and growing patient expectations have required healthcare organizations to deliver flexible solutions with sometimes finite resources.
Telehealth, remote treatments, and virtual patient services have grown in popularity, enabling patients to receive care outside the traditional clinical environment. The increased digitization of medicine has resulted in a boom in the healthcare cloud computing market, expected to reach $201.1 billion by 2032, driven by the need for efficient, secure, and scalable communications tools.
Alongside developing action plans to ensure seamless internal and external communication between caregivers, patients, residents, and family members, healthcare decision-makers have expressed concerns regarding cybersecurity and IT resource optimization. As a result, healthcare facilities worldwide are actively adopting private or hybrid cloud models of unified communications and collaboration (UCC) solutions that continue to offer scaling opportunities.
The Key Benefits of Hybrid Cloud-Based Healthcare Communications
Healthcare providers must embrace the latest communications technology to remain competitive and meet patients' digital-first expectations. Many are already taking advantage of the benefits of hybrid cloud solutions.
The surge in cloud-based healthcare technology has revolutionized how clinical professionals collaborate, communicate, and deliver care in an interconnected world. Hybrid cloud UCC platforms are agile, secure, cost-efficient, and accessible from anywhere, and offer the ability to migrate to the cloud at the right pace for each organization.
While moving to a hybrid environment may be a significant adjustment, healthcare has many advantages.
Learn about Mitel’s Common Communication’s Framework and how to embrace hybrid cloud communications
Enhanced Data Security and Compliance
Hospitals, elder care residences, and other healthcare facilities are among the biggest targets of digital threats like hackers and ransomware due to the massive volumes of sensitive data they must store and transmit. Mission-critical components can stay on-premises while other processes and functions can be safely migrated to the cloud. Information remains secure in the cloud, protected by encryption and access control. Hybrid cloud solutions are continuously updated to help your organization comply with the latest privacy and security standards, including HIPAA and GDPR.
Scalability and Flexibility
Healthcare systems with hybrid cloud UCC solutions provide the opportunity to seamlessly transition to remote operations and manage increased volumes of patients during peak periods. Scalable cloud services enable on-demand resource allocation for peak periods of use and provide the flexibility to adapt to evolving business requirements.
More Cost-efficient, Effective Processes
Information stored in a hybrid cloud is updated in real-time, meaning employees and administrators will have access to the latest information and system updates. Because these platforms work remotely on any secure device, collaboration between colleagues is seamless and accessible regardless of location. The introduction of telemedicine to a facility can also increase caregiver efficiencies by reducing the need to be physically in each facility, as well as increasing the level of social interaction of patients and residents by providing the opportunity to have scheduled video visits with family members for those that need assistance in working with technology.
Advanced Analytics and Insights
Hybrid cloud UCC solutions can use powerful predictive analytics tools for data-driven decision-making. Users can extract actionable insights from healthcare data to develop personalized and proactive care plans.
Introducing cloud-based elements within healthcare communications has transformed healthcare organizations, empowering providers to collaborate with their colleagues, access critical information, and connect with their patients for the highest standard of care.
Choosing the Right Cloud Communications Solution for Your Healthcare Organization
Medical professionals must make life-changing decisions every day, but choosing to modernize their UCC solutions shouldn’t be a challenge. Aspects of healthcare communications can be elevated to the cloud, such as:
- Contact centers
- Patient and resident portals
- Video calling and voice messaging
- Collaboration software
- Alerts, notifications, and reminders
When deciding on a communications solution, decision-makers should consider their facility’s size, budget, and usage needs. By deploying a hybrid cloud solution, providers can leverage the healthcare benefits of the cloud while maintaining an on-premises presence for mission-critical elements. Understanding the main differences between private and hybrid clouds is essential to making the best decision.
A private cloud may be an on- or off-site server dedicated solely to a single healthcare organization. It provides a more controlled and secure environment for medical information. Since institutions aren't sharing hosted space, they can tailor their private cloud to meet their needs with additional data privacy and security layers. Mitel’s approach to resilience, security, and compliance helps protect your solution, regardless of the deployment model.
A hybrid cloud model combines private or public cloud with on-premises elements. In this environment, communication is handled by proprietary software connecting each service. Adopting a hybrid cloud strategy can help healthcare organizations requiring greater flexibility by moving workloads across cloud and on-premises solutions on a per-need basis.
To future-proof their communications, healthcare institutions should invest in the model that best fits their needs, data security requirements, and budget. Whatever their choice, migrating elements to the cloud will be critical for optimal patient care.
Take Your Healthcare Communications to the Hybrid Cloud with Mitel
Mitel’s secure and reliable UCC solutions are trusted by thousands of healthcare providers globally. Mitel supports healthcare organizations of all sizes, from virtual contact centers to business communications systems and collaboration platforms.
With streamlined workflows, seamless file sharing, and API integrations, Mitel empowers caregivers and clinical staff to spend less time on administrative tasks and more on care. AI-enabled automation, self-service tools, and virtual assistants increase patient and resident engagement, trust, and satisfaction with their guest experience.
Along with next-generation cloud communication software, Mitel proudly offers cloud-supported hardware. The Digital Enhanced Cordless Technology (DECT) handsets manufactured with BioCote® antimicrobial materials are perfect for healthcare settings where sanitization is critical to user wellbeing.
Educating patients and employees about adopting hybrid cloud healthcare communications is critical to providing high-quality patient and employee experiences. Seeking expert advice is the first and most necessary step in this process.
As a global leader in business communications with over two billion cloud connections worldwide, Mitel is committed to delivering the best healthcare communications tools for your facility.
Contact a Mitel healthcare expert to learn more about migrating your communications to a hybrid cloud and request a quote.