Putting Patients at the Center and on the Cloud

Embracing Healthcare Digital Transformation

May 6, 2024

Technology continually reshapes our expectations as consumers.? Healthcare is no exception.? The healthcare system remains a critical frontier for innovation in improving care and outcomes for patients. Digital transformation in healthcare isn't just about adopting new technologies; it’s about rethinking how healthcare systems can focus on patients, providing more control and better access to their health data ensuring better continuity of care. This shift is crucial for moving toward a model of patient-centric and value-based care.

The Need for Patient-Centric Care

The traditional healthcare model often limits patient engagement and access to personal health data, primarily due to the on-premise technology ecosystems that have long dominated the industry. These legacy systems typically create data silos within healthcare organizations, not only hindering the seamless use of patient data across different departments and services but also making it nearly impossible to provide patients with a unified view of their health information. This fragmentation can lead to inefficiencies in care delivery, discrepancies in health records, and a lack of personalized care.

Empowering patients at the heart of healthcare processes.

Digital transformation challenges this status quo by leveraging modern cloud technologies to break down these silos and integrate disparate systems. This shift puts patients at the heart of healthcare processes, facilitating more engaged and informed patient participation. By ensuring that all relevant patient information is accessible in a secure and compliant manner across the continuum of care, technology empowers patients and enhances their satisfaction. Moreover, it improves the overall efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare delivery by enabling more coordinated and data-driven care decisions.

Breaking down data silos with cloud technology.

The Role of Cloud Technologies: Security, Scalability, and Patient Empowerment?

Secure and Scalable Environments:?

• Cloud technologies provide a robust foundation for deploying scalable and secure healthcare solutions by adhering to strict regulations such as HIPAA, ensuring the highest level of data privacy and security through advanced data encryption, both at rest and in transit.? For example, utilizing Google Cloud Platform’s (GCP) global infrastructure guarantees high availability and low latency, enhancing access to healthcare data across different regions.

Focus on Openness and Interoperability:

• Standardized Data Exchange: By embracing open-source standards like Health Level Seven International FHIR and interoperable APIs, which are essential for seamless data exchange between different healthcare IT systems, the Cloud provides unequaled interoperability and fosters better collaboration and improved care coordination, integral to modern healthcare ecosystems.
• Cloud Healthcare API: Use of GCP's Cloud Healthcare API provides pre-built tools and libraries that adhere to industry standards, simplifying healthcare data integration. This focus on open standards not only reduces development time but also makes it easier for healthcare organizations to implement and manage the solutions that we provide.

AI and Machine Learning for Advanced Analytics:

• AI for Healthcare: AI and ML are quickly revolutionizing patient care by improving clinical evaluations and tailoring protocols to individual patients. GCP offers Vertex AI, a suite of AI tools tailored for the healthcare industry. Vertex AI enables healthcare providers to apply advanced machine learning techniques for medical imaging analysis, predictive analytics for disease diagnosis, patient risk stratification, and developing personalized medicine approaches. These capabilities allow healthcare organizations to make more informed decisions and improve patient outcomes.

Cost Optimization:

• Cost-effective Scalability: Unlike traditional on-premise IT infrastructure, cloud-based solutions utilize a pay-as-you-go model, which allows healthcare organizations to efficiently scale their resources based on actual needs. This flexible scaling can lead to significant cost savings and reduce the financial burdens of maintaining and upgrading physical infrastructure.

Data Governance and Patient Consent:?

• Effective digital transformation requires meticulous data governance. I recommend facilitating a framework where data is clearly governed and managed with integrity, always prioritizing patient consent. This ensures that healthcare providers can maintain trust with their patients, respecting their privacy and autonomy in managing their personal health information.

Using the Google Cloud Platform

From the perspective of recent hands-on experience in this for clients, a best-practice approach is to leverage the Google Cloud Platform to design solutions that meet the stringent requirements of healthcare regulations and offer seamless, scalable, and secure access to patient data across multiple providers. These cloud architectures empower healthcare organizations to:

• Integrate and Manage Data Efficiently: Using tools like GCP's BigQuery for health data analytics and Google Cloud Healthcare API for integration with existing IT systems, this will ensure all patient-related data is accessible and efficiently managed.? Client organizations benefit from taking ownership of their data and eliminating siloed data in on-premise applications.
• Enhance Patient Engagement:? Utilize the FHIR functionality of the Cloud Healthcare API to develop patient-facing applications that enable patients to access and manage their health data actively. Using AI and machine learning (ML) on GCP also allows one to create personalized patient education and care guidance tools.

Case Study: RecoveryLink Digital Platform

RecoveryLink ?, a digital platform in the United States for managing addiction recovery clinics, faced challenges related to adaptability, scalability, and robust data management. Our siftia data engineers developed a cloud-based clinical management platform tailored for RecoveryLink?, enhancing its operational efficiency and scalability across diverse recovery programs. Our solution included:

• Cloud-Based Clinical Management Platform: This platform supports a single data repository with a wide range of microservices, ensuring adaptability to various clinic requirements while maintaining rigorous data privacy standards.
• Management Dashboard for Product Owners: Allows continuous identification of platform improvements, optimizing both user experience and patient outcomes.
• Interoperable Data Model: Utilizes the HL7 FHIR standard, enabling seamless integrations and personalized care approaches.

Results: In its first year, SOAR has been implemented in nearly 200 clinics, supporting around 100,000 participants in recovery programs, with over 3,000 medical professionals using the platform to transform addiction recovery services. The RecoveryLink? platform releases enhancements and new services on a weekly cadence, keeping abreast of client expectations.

Conclusion

Digital transformation in healthcare is not just a trend but a necessity, paving the way for enhanced patient care and superior organizational efficiency. By adopting cloud-based solutions like those offered by Google Cloud Platform, healthcare providers can stay at the forefront of innovation, ensuring they meet the dynamic needs of modern healthcare delivery with agility and assurance. At siftia , we specialize in making this transition seamless and successful, aligning cutting-edge technology with your healthcare objectives to place patients at the very center of your care model.

Are you ready to elevate your healthcare organization with technology that drives patient-first solutions? Contact us to explore how leveraging Google Cloud Platform can bring digital excellence to your operations.

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