What's Happening?
Sentara Health, a healthcare system operating in Virginia, North Carolina, and Florida, has transitioned its electronic health records (EHR) from an on-premises data center to the cloud. This strategic move, initiated in 2018, was driven by the need to improve
data accessibility and leverage new technologies cost-effectively. Jeffrey Thomas, the Senior Vice President and CTO at Sentara Health, emphasized that the traditional on-premises setup was not ideal for customers who needed remote access to their data. Instead of a simple lift-and-shift approach, Sentara undertook a comprehensive reengineering and redesigning process to optimize their cloud migration. This involved reducing and simplifying their applications, moving only about 550 out of the original 1,300 applications to the cloud. The migration has allowed Sentara to implement new practices and technologies, enhancing their operational efficiency and service delivery.
Why It's Important?
The migration of EHRs to the cloud by Sentara Health is significant as it reflects a broader trend in the healthcare industry towards digital transformation. By moving to the cloud, healthcare providers can offer more flexible and accessible services to patients, which is crucial in an era where remote healthcare services are increasingly in demand. This transition not only improves patient experience by providing easier access to health records but also allows healthcare organizations to adopt advanced technologies like data analytics and artificial intelligence. These technologies can lead to better patient outcomes and more efficient healthcare delivery. Additionally, the move to the cloud can result in cost savings and operational efficiencies for healthcare providers, as it reduces the need for maintaining extensive on-premises infrastructure.
What's Next?
Following the successful migration of its EHRs to the cloud, Sentara Health is likely to continue exploring further digital innovations to enhance its healthcare services. The organization may invest in additional cloud-based technologies to improve data analytics capabilities, patient engagement, and operational efficiencies. Other healthcare providers may also look to Sentara's approach as a model for their own digital transformation efforts. As more healthcare systems transition to cloud-based solutions, there could be increased collaboration and data sharing across the industry, potentially leading to improved healthcare outcomes on a larger scale.
