The coronavirus pandemic has taught all sectors of our economy how to respond to such an incident. Some sectors have struggled more than others, whereas some have adapted without much turbulence. The sector that has faced the biggest challenges is certainly the healthcare industry. One of the elements that has affected this industry’s trajectory through the pandemic is its access to custom software.
As coronavirus continues to shape the medical industry, it has become apparent that outsourcing custom software development is not unusual. Some facilities and practices have to outsource their custom software development out of necessity, or because working from home has become a requirement in many situations.
Here are some of the relevant points to consider when contemplating custom software development for the healthcare industry.
Cloud Computing with Custom Software
Cloud access to data and work tasks is an essential tool for any industry that has implemented work-from-home policies. This technology has enabled workers with certain responsibilities to perform their jobs just as effectively from home as they would at work. There are even some doctors who are able to practice through medical teleconferences, also known as “tele-health.” Of course, there are some procedures and processes that involve face-to-face contact; however, reducing the number of exposures is another step in mitigating transmission risk.
One of the unique elements of cloud computing in the health industry relates to HIPAA and maintaining patient confidentiality. Medical practices have a heightened responsibility to protect patient information. Failure to do so can lead to serious consequences if they violate HIPAA due to security failures.
As a result, it is necessary for medical facilities that use cloud computing to ensure they have heightened security. This step also requires having an adaptable and dependable IT team.
Cloud computing also benefits workers who are not working from home. This technology reduces the time workers will have to spend plugging in to different servers or dashboards. It is also a secure way to store data and information. Cloud storage can allow you to avoid saving information on a physical server located on your premises.
Patient Benefits
Considering that custom software in the pandemic largely involves incorporating telehealth, it has proven to have extensive benefits for patients. As a result of telehealth, providers can perform outreach and provide services to more patients. Leaving the house is challenging during a pandemic, especially for those who are dealing with compromised immune systems and other health issues. However, now that doctors can meet with patients immediately without any need for commutes, waiting rooms, or face-to-face interactions, immunocompromised patients can be safer. This will also reduce the number of no-show appointments, thus saving medical facilities time and money.
Medical facilities can also tailor and customize their software suites to their own preferences. Whether it is clinical diagnostics, oncology, or general practice, designers can optimize custom software suites to provide peak benefits. Each medical practice area has its own nuances when it comes to the practice itself. Although there are some overlapping concepts, it is more efficient for facilities to have custom software that can meet their exact needs.
Administrative Benefits
One of the overlapping tasks that is present – not just in different fields of medicine but in different sectors of business – are daily administrative tasks. These tasks are what keeps businesses and organizations properly organized, efficient, and productive. The chance for error also increases when these tasks are left entirely to manual human labor. Custom software with AI integration can improve workflow, reduce the likelihood of errors, and generally increase productivity.
Tasks that would otherwise require a human to perform can be done faster. As a result, that employee can perform other tasks that cannot be completed by a computer. For example, when a doctor takes notes on their computer for a patient, they can automate that data to be input into their chart. This will save the doctor time after the appointment, and they can trust that the custom software suite has correctly and accurately uploaded the new information about the patient. This is an opportunity that allows doctors to perform fewer administrative tasks and spend more time providing healthcare services to their patients.
Medical Procedures
Aside from workflow and efficiency, users can also incorporate custom software in the providing of medical services itself. With technology’s rapid advancements, robotic surgery and AI-controlled nursing assistants can greatly improve medical services. As futuristic as it may sound, robotic surgery is a rapidly improving field and is becoming more prevalent in the operating room. Robotic surgery reduces transmission risk if the patient carries a transmittable disease. It can also be more effective and less prone to human error than a human surgeon would be.
Cybersecurity and Custom Software
As previously mentioned, HIPAA is a stringent set of policies to which medical providers must strictly adhere. Hospitals and all forms of medical facilities are prone to cyberattacks that could threaten not just HIPAA-protected data, but also the very infrastructure of a medical facility. These sorts of attacks are on the rise. The reason hospitals can be prone to attacks is because they provide a literal life-saving service and as a result there cannot be any delays in their service. One example of such a cyberattack occurred at the University of Vermont Medical Center. Large parts of their data and workflow processes were held hostage by hackers who issued ransom demands.
Custom software from a reputable source that regularly performs updates, maintenance, and monitoring can prove to be a strong defense against cyberthreats.
Contact Ayoka Systems
At Ayoka Systems, we strive to provide our clients with custom software suites that can meet any of their needs. We sit down with our clients to design a program that fits their goals and desires. After designing, we make sure to apprise the client of our progress so that they know the software fulfills their requests. Our programmers and developers hold a wide range of expertise and are willing to work with you. Contact Ayoka Systems today for a consultation.
