Efficient and effective data management in CIED care is more critical than ever. Rapid innovation has produced more complex and capable CIEDs, resulting in a surge of clinically-relevant data. Combined with the continued growth in cardiovascular disease populations, clinics face the daunting task of managing deeper data sets than ever before. One obvious solution to this challenge is to innovate the workflow systems used to manage device data and patients.
Historically, CIED clinics had few choices in device management software, namely on-premises (“on-prem” in tech speak) software from companies like Paceart Optima and ScottCare. While these solutions provide organizations with oversight of their infrastructure, customization, and security, the on-premises nature of the solutions present significant drawbacks, including hardware maintenance and upgrades, costly maintenance staff, disruptive updates, and limited flexibility and scalability.
Moreover, given the limited choices in the market, innovation was slow, yielding notoriously inefficient and time-consuming workflows. The result: most device clinics using these on-prem solutions could not keep up with patient device data burdens, often evidenced by poor patient outcomes and a lack of achievement relative to the HRS recommended and CMS allowable standards of care. Given the growth in CIED patients and data, these outdated systems have become a liability as they hinder staff efficiency, patient care, and clinic economics.
Today, modern and innovative cloud-based solutions offer a new path forward. In this blog post, we compare cloud-based and on-prem software in the context of CIED management, highlighting the transformative advantages of cloud technology for enhancing operational efficiency, patient care, and clinic financials.
Defining cloud-based vs. on-prem software
The key differentiator between on-prem and cloud solutions is where they are hosted. On-prem software is installed locally (“on the premises”), while cloud solutions are accessible online. With on-prem solutions, organizations are responsible for installing, configuring, and maintaining the software on their own hardware infrastructure. On-prem solutions are typically accessed through computers within the organization’s physical network, though remote access may be possible with additional administrative setup and security measures.
Conversely, cloud software is hosted by an outside vendor on external servers and made available via the internet. Organizations typically pay the outside vendor a subscription fee for the resources they use. CIED clinics with cloud software solutions simply use an internet browser to access monitoring data and perform key functions from anywhere.
Consider how you manage your personal email account. When you use a service like Gmail, all your messages are stored online on Google’s servers. You don’t need to worry about maintaining any hardware or managing the software; you simply log in through your web browser, and everything is accessible from anywhere with an internet connection.
In contrast, imagine having a personal email server at home. In this scenario, you would have to purchase and maintain the hardware, taking on the responsibility for security and updates. Plus, you would likely only be able to check your email when you’re at home, where all your data is stored.
Cloud software is like using Gmail: it’s convenient, requires no backend management, and allows for easy access from anywhere. On-prem software, on the other hand, is akin to running your own email server—it’s more hands-on and can limit accessibility and flexibility.
Limitations of on-prem software
For years, on-prem software solutions were standard across industries for managing critical data and operations, offering organizations direct control over their infrastructure and security. However, they come with several key limitations:
- Hardware dependencies—On-prem solutions are limited by their reliance on specific hardware, which can become outdated and challenging to upgrade.
- High maintenance costs—Regular maintenance is required, which can be costly and resource-intensive.
- Time-consuming updates—Software updates often disrupt normal operations, making it difficult to maintain smooth workflows.
- Lack of flexibility and scalability—These systems often struggle to handle increasing data volumes and can’t easily scale or adapt to changing needs.
- Limited access and collaboration—Real-time access and collaboration across multiple sites is often difficult to achieve.
Today’s CIED clinics can’t risk being bogged down by the costly maintenance, technical disruptions, and lack of scalability that plagues these legacy on-prem systems. With so many clinics operating with limited staff and significant transmission backlogs, a better approach to managing patient device data is essential.
Benefits of cloud-based software
Enter cloud-based CIED management software: a transformative solution that streamlines data management and accessibility while enhancing compliance, scalability, and patient care. Cloud-based solutions offer several advantages over traditional on-prem systems:
- Hosting—Hosted on remote servers and accessible via the internet, cloud-based systems eliminate the need for local hardware.
- Vendor-managed infrastructure—An external vendor handles hardware and software management, relieving healthcare organizations of maintenance responsibilities.
- Multi-site accessibility—The software can be used across multiple clinic locations.
- Automatic updates—Regular updates are handled by the vendor, reducing the disruption to clinic operations and ensuring timely access to the latest features.
- Cost-effectiveness—Lower upfront costs and reduced need for ongoing hardware investments make cloud-based solutions more financially accessible.
- Scalability—Cloud-based software easily scales with clinic growth, accommodating increasing data volumes and expanding patient populations.
Cloud-based software and the modern CIED clinic
Let’s dig deeper to understand how cloud-based software solutions are well-suited to CIED clinics.
Access & staffing flexibility
With cloud software, clinicians can respond to critical alerts faster, improving patient care response times.
Cloud-based software provides remote access, allowing CIED clinics to view patient and device data from any location with internet connectivity. This flexibility means clinicians can respond to alerts and access vital information without needing to be on-site. By contrast, on-prem software is tied to local servers, which more often than not limits access to specific physical locations.
Cloud solutions are also ideal for clinics with multiple locations. With cloud-based software, patient and device data is continuously synced across all sites, allowing care teams to access up-to-date information in real-time. This means that no matter where staff are located, they can view and update patient records seamlessly, enabling coordinated and consistent care across locations. For CIED clinics managing large patient volumes or remote facilities, this supports a more integrated approach to patient management.
Additionally, cloud-based software offers clinics the ability to implement remote and hybrid working arrangements for staff. Because employees can access monitoring data and complete tasks from anywhere—including home—clinics can support flexible schedules that reduce burnout and improve work-life balance. This helps retain experienced staff, sustain morale, and ensure consistent, high-quality patient care without requiring all team members to be on-site.
If there is a staffing shortage, remote or third-party staff augmentation services with proper security credentials can quickly access the same cloud-based application. This means staffing challenges can be addressed efficiently and effectively. With a cloud-based solution, gone are the days of requiring staff to be physically present at the clinic to process CIED care.
Scalability
As patient and data volumes grow, cloud-based software adapts, supporting more data without needing on-site technical upgrades.
Cloud solutions easily scale to match the clinic’s growth, handling an expanding number of patients or devices seamlessly. On-prem systems, however, require significant investments in new hardware and additional IT resources to expand capacity.
While there are vendor costs associated with moving to a cloud-based solution, these costs are often offset by reduced hardware investments, lower maintenance and staffing demands, and the ability to quickly adapt to changing needs without major infrastructure upgrades. This scalability ensures that clinics can keep pace with growth without overburdening staff or straining resources.
Cloud solutions also support clinic advancement beyond patient growth, offering the flexibility to adopt new features and integrations as needs evolve. For example, clinics can opt into new cardiology device platform verticals to manage multiple types of care—including heart failure (HF) and ambulatory programs—and pilot emerging solutions, all within the same infrastructure. This adaptability is easier said than done with on-prem solutions.
Security & compliance
Cloud software protects patient data with less demand on clinic staff, helping maintain compliance.
Cloud solutions for CIED management are typically equipped with advanced security measures, including encryption, HIPAA compliance, and automatic data backups. These safeguards are managed by the vendor, lifting the burden from clinic staff. On-prem solutions, however, place the responsibility for updates, security patches, and compliance on the clinic itself, which can be resource-intensive.
While some larger healthcare organizations opt to manage their own security and therefore choose on-prem solutions, cloud solutions allow smaller clinics to benefit from robust security without the need for dedicated IT resources. This enables them to focus on patient care rather than managing complex infrastructure.
Customer service & support
Cloud-based solutions offer streamlined support by allowing direct access for faster issue resolution and minimal staff involvement.
One of the major challenges with on-prem CIED management solutions is the complexity of customer support. Frequently, clinics do not have on-site support personnel who can assist clinicians in the event of software issues. In order to get timely help, clinicians must connect virtually with customer support professionals.
To initiate a “live support session,” clinics often have to launch a third-party remote access tool, which allows an external support team to log in directly to the clinic’s hardware. This requires clinic staff to be available and initiate the session, often waiting for connection protocols and permissions to complete. Additionally, the support team must navigate the clinic’s local network and server infrastructure, which can slow down troubleshooting and delay resolution if any hardware issues are present.
Cloud-based solutions, on the other hand, streamline the support experience. Since support teams have direct access to the cloud environment, they can troubleshoot and address issues faster, without needing to access the clinic’s internal network. This reduces wait times, requires less staff involvement, and allows clinic teams to stay focused on patient care rather than IT logistics.
Cost-effectiveness
Clinics benefit from cloud software’s affordability, avoiding the high costs associated with maintaining on-site infrastructure.
Cloud solutions offer a cost-effective model with lower upfront costs and reduced need for in-house IT support, making them an attractive choice for clinics of all sizes. In contrast, on-prem systems involve high initial investments in hardware and ongoing maintenance expenses.
Addressing common cloud concerns
When considering CIED management software options, it’s natural for clinics to be wary of trusting an external cloud vendor with sensitive patient data and crucial day-to-day functionality. Specifically in the realms of security, reliability, and cost, clinics should scrutinize potential cloud vendors to ensure the software will deliver. Thankfully, today’s cloud CIED management solutions are built to address these concerns.
Security
- Cloud-based solutions implement advanced encryption techniques to protect patient data both in transit and at rest.
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA), a login process that requires more than just a password to access a user account, adds an additional layer of security, ensuring that only authorized users can access sensitive information.
- Single sign-on (SSO) streamlines access by allowing users to log in once to access multiple clinic applications securely, reducing login fatigue while maintaining strict security controls.
- Vendors ensure compliance with HIPAA and other regulatory standards, taking the burden off clinic staff to stay current with evolving security requirements.
Reliability
- Cloud vendors guarantee high uptime, meaning your clinic can rely on consistent access to critical data.
- Backup servers and disaster recovery systems are built-in, so even in the event of a technical failure, patient data remains secure and accessible.
- Routine monitoring and maintenance by the vendor further enhance system stability, minimizing disruptions to clinic operations.
Cost savings
- Cloud-based solutions typically have lower upfront costs compared to on-prem software, as there’s no need to invest in expensive hardware or internal IT staff for setup and maintenance.
- Ongoing costs are also reduced, with predictable monthly or annual subscription fees instead of unexpected maintenance or upgrade expenses.
- Over time, the savings from reduced hardware and minimized IT resource requirements make cloud software a cost-effective solution with a strong ROI for clinics of all sizes.
For clinics looking to stay ahead of the curve, exploring cloud-based options for CIED management is a step towards greater efficiency, enhanced patient care, and long-term savings.
Embrace change today, thrive tomorrow
The landscape of CIED remote monitoring has evolved. There are more patients, more devices, and more data than ever before. Legacy on-prem software is not equipped to manage the complexity and volume of modern CIED data effectively.
Adopting a modern, cloud-based solution like Murj can lead to immediate improvements in staff satisfaction, patient care, and provider economics. The Murj CIED platform, with more than 17 million transmissions processed, has proven to increase care compliance by 200-300 percent while dramatically improving staff productivity. A typical Murj-empowered clinic can manage 2,000 remote patients with a single technician. Today, CIED clinics running on Murj govern more than 750,000 device patients across the US.
To learn more about Murj, get in touch today.
