Study reveals healthcare adoption of cloud computing

New research conducted by Dell has shown the extent to which cloud computing is being adopted in the healthcare industry.

The company's report, the Dell Global Technology Adoption Index, found that the vast majority (96 per cent) of mid-size healthcare organisations surveyed are using or considering using cloud computing.

It was revealed by the research that the majority of healthcare respondents that have adopted a cloud solution already are either using private cloud (43 per cent) or a hybrid cloud solution (43 per cent).

Dr Cliff Bleustein, chief medical officer at Dell Healthcare and Life Sciences, explained that the cloud is being used as a way for healthcare organisations to provide information-driven, patient-centred healthcare.

He said: "By providing the flexibility and scalability that enables small and mid-size healthcare organisations to be more nimble in the face of constant change, the cloud can help speed and ease the transformation as other newer technologies are adopted."

The report from Dell also found that healthcare confidence in the security of data stored in a private cloud environment is promising. Around two-thirds of companies taking part in the study (64 per cent) indicated that they are "very confident" that their data is protected in the cloud.

Close to half of all healthcare organisations that were surveyed (46 per cent) cited better allocation of IT resources as the biggest benefit they have seen as a result of adopting cloud computing, with this advantage followed closely by cost savings (39 per cent).

"The future of healthcare lies in intelligent data repositories that incorporate clinical workflow functions and predictive and prescriptive analytics. Moving to cloud-based archiving as a service is the first step in making your data actionable," said Dr Bleustein.

It was also revealed by the Dell Global Technology Adoption Index that the top three IT priorities cited by healthcare respondents are making IT more cost-efficient, upgrading infrastructure and optimising data centres.

Businesses looking to move services into the cloud, should evaluate the performance of their existing network and consider setting up a leased line or MPLS network.