Most healthcare providers in the United States are up to speed when it comes to the things they need to do to effectively market themselves to meet the needs of the patients using their services. However, not all plans are failsafe and require backup. Sometimes even backup plans need backup.
Thankfully, with the help of the ever-evolving world of cloud technology, some programs can help amid potential chaos. In the business sector, backup and disaster recovery are often portrayed as jargony buzzwords that come one and the same as each other, grouped together with the acronym BDR. Backup, along with Disaster Recovery, is important to include within any business strategy.
In order to understand the incorporation of this within a business strategy, it’s important first to be able to identify the difference between the two concepts.
What is Data Backup?
This is the process of transferring data from one device to another. While this used to take a lot of time and effort, to manually transfer date from one source to another, more recently this has been done using cloud software. It should be done regularly to prevent essential data going missing in case of a computer system failure.
For example, regular backups of patient records and data will mean that if a patient is referred to another healthcare professional. They will have all of the correct health information surrounding the patient and their needs if they have all of the accurate data for that person.
A patient may have recently started on a new medication then moved to a new state the following day. Without the most up to date information about this patient, their new healthcare provider will have the wrong data, which can cause a lot of issues.
Regular audits should take place to minimize the damage that could ensue as a result. Sometimes on-site data backup is not enough, however. There may be instances where an earlier backup is lost, deleted, or stolen. Here is where there may be a good use for an offsite Data Recovery solution.
Getting to Grips with Data Recovery
Although a separate case when it comes to preventing permanent data loss, it is impossible for Data Recovery to happen without the use of backup. However, they work together to ensure that there is minimal data loss within a business.
Backup can be described as an integral subcategory of Data Recovery—meaning that all Backup can be considered Data Recovery, but not necessarily the other way around.
A significant difference is that backup may be set up every evening after business closing, but Data Recovery can be completed live and offsite.
Most healthcare organizations will suffer as a result of the loss of data. In addition to the potential for legal action from patient complaints, there is also the prospect and money spent on business down-time.
Time is money, and in some cases, literally life and death. The best bet is to ensure that efficient practices and programs are put in place to prevent the breakdown of trust from the most important revenue-the patients choosing to use your services.
