Cost Savings Associated with the Adoption of a Cloud Computing Data Transfer System for Trauma Patients

Conn Med. 2016 Sep;80(7):389-392.

Abstract

Introduction: Among transferred trauma patients, challenges with the transfer of radiographic studies include problems loading or viewing the studies at the receiving hospitals, and problems manipulating, reconstructing, or evalu- ating the transferred images. Cloud-based image transfer systems may address some ofthese problems.

Methods: We reviewed the charts of patients trans- ferred during one year surrounding the adoption of a cloud computing data transfer system. We compared the rates of repeat imaging before (precloud) and af- ter (postcloud) the adoption of the cloud-based data transfer system.

Results: During the precloud period, 28 out of 100 patients required 90 repeat studies. With the cloud computing transfer system in place, three out of 134 patients required seven repeat films.

Conclusion: There was a statistically significant decrease in the proportion of patients requiring repeat films (28% to 2.2%, P < .0001). Based on an annualized volume of 200 trauma patient transfers, the cost savings estimated using three methods of cost analysis, is between $30,272 and $192,453.

MeSH terms

  • Cloud Computing*
  • Connecticut
  • Cost Savings / methods
  • Female
  • Health Information Exchange / economics*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Transfer / methods*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed* / methods
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed* / statistics & numerical data
  • Trauma Centers / organization & administration*
  • Wounds and Injuries / diagnosis*