Google Chromebooks for Healthcare

The aim of introducing technology in any field is to simplify the work of the users, collate and collect information, keep it safe, and make it easily accessible to the entire team.

When it comes to the healthcare industry, storing, securing, and accessing patient data is of utmost importance. In traditional healthcare facilities, virtual desktops and workstations are used to collect and store patient information. This is a complex and cost-intensive system where resources are often wasted. It is also difficult to manage, maintain and secure.

However, there is a better solution that eliminates the need for Virtual Desktop Infrastructures (VDIs) and fixed workstations while simplifying the task of healthcare workers. This solution involves the use of Chromebooks.

Chromebooks make it easier to access, update and keep track of electronic health records (EHR) of patients. It has proven its usefulness, reliability and tested its mettle during the pandemic. Let us take a closer look at Chromebooks to know what they are and how they are helping the healthcare workers by giving them greater flexibility and mobility. 

What is Chromebook?

Chromebooks are laptops or devices that run on Google’s Chrome Operating System (OS). These machines are designed to be fast, reliable, and secure. They are lightweight and affordable making them a very attractive option for the healthcare industry. Chromebooks are ready-to-work staright out of the box and need no additional updates or setting up of applications. Just pop open the lid, fire it on and you are ready to start. They have already been very successful in the education field and now are ready to take on other industries including the healthcare industry.

Let us take a look at what makes Chromebooks an ideal IT solution for the healthcare industry.  

Why Chromebook?

Hospitals, like all the other organizations, are constantly looking for ways to reduce costs while providing better services. This can be achieved by reducing overheads and increasing the efficiency and productivity of the workforce.

Chromebooks tick all the boxes for helping streamline operations and reduce costs for hospitals.

• They are Cost-effective: Chromebooks are cheaper than other laptops like those that run on macOS or Windows, making them budget-friendly.
• They are Cloud-powered: Most of the applications on the Chromebooks are cloud-based, hence they require less internal storage and memory to deliver the same efficiency. All the data stored in the centralized cloud storage is accessible to all the workers within the organization instantly. This is an invaluable feature as any health worker can access the record of a patient from anywhere. This is especially useful for frontline workers.
• Lightweight and Portable: Since the Chromebooks have minimal hardware, they are lightweight and smaller when compared to other laptops making them easier to carry around.
• Top Class Security: Chromebooks come with efficient virus and malware protection. The devices automatically update while working and require no downtime. In case of lost or damaged devices, the administrators can remotely wipe out all sensitive information from the device keeping all the data secure and confidential.
• Long Battery Life: Chromebooks come with a long battery that will see you through an entire workday without having to recharge the device.

Looking at these features, we can see their immense potential in the healthcare industry. This brings us to the next question of how it can benefit the healthcare industry? 

Benefits Of Chromebooks For the Healthcare Industry

Given their flexibility, compatitbilty and mobility, Chromebooks make an attractive alternative to the average laptop or archaic and labor-intensive fixed workstations and PCs. Let us see how it benefits healthcare facilities and workers.

• Portable and Flexible: Chromebooks are lightweight as they do not need a lot of the hardware that adds weight to the average laptop. This makes them easy to carry. Since they are not limited by the technology under the hood, they are more flexible and can be personalized for each industry.
• Ready to Use: Chromebooks are ready to use when you receive them. No need to install software or download updates, this is all done automatically and seamlessly so the work never suffers.
• Easy to Maintain: Chromebooks are easy to maintain which reduces downtime as well as eliminates the need for manual maintenance thus reducing working costs.
• Fast and Efficient Machines: A Chromebook takes just a few seconds to boot up and the login process is simplified and easy. Thus the workers are ready to work faster than ever before. This also makes it easy to check on a patient’s medical history and records in an emergency where time is of the essence.
• Cloud Storage Centralizes EHRs: Chromebook is backed by cloud storage which instantly updates the EHRs and stores them to be downloaded by anyone anywhere with a device that is connected to the system. Everything is backed up in secure cloud facilities so you never lose information or data when a machine fails or a hard disk crashes.
• Enhanced Security: Chrome OS that powers the Chromebooks is one of the most secure operating systems. Its robust security ensures that the data is protected against data breaches, viruses, cyber-attacks, malware, ransomware, etc. The Chrome OS automatically updates itself to the latest version and runs in the background without interfering with your work.
• Streamlines Operations and Improves Connectivity and Operational Efficiency: Chromebooks offer shared devices and resources that streamline operations and connect the team. It makes online working, remote working, and work from anywhere possible for the entire team. It improves operational efficiency by connecting the management with the staff and offering training, onboarding, and upskilling online.

We have only touched the tip of the iceberg here with the immense possibilities the Chromebooks offer to the healthcare industry. Besides the medical staff and healthcare workers, Chromebooks also help the patients. They can be used as self-service kiosks and digital hoardings to facilitate the patients and provide essential information to the public.

The pandemic has changed the way the healthcare industry works. It has demonstrated the need for quick and easy access to information to enhance staff efficiency. Chromebooks undoubtedly offer the most future-ready IT option for the healthcare industry to increase efficiency, improve patient care, and reduce the cost of operations.