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In recent years, online healthcare systems and mobile health (mHealth) apps have become popular, especially now that telehealthcare is something most people prefer—and, in some cases, is the only favored option. These programs offer tremendous benefits to both healthcare providers and patients. With them, the healthcare industry can potentially and significantly reduce healthcare costs, improve patient awareness, and make most healthcare-related transactions smoother and more transparent.
Unfortunately, developing a healthcare web app is a serious challenge. For example, all the data your app collects and stores will likely be highly sensitive. Security is of utmost importance. And one vulnerability in your app can easily cost you millions of dollars.
Currently, the highest amount a company—a health insurer, in particular—has paid for a data breach settlement is USD$5.55 million. With that in mind, you might always be walking on eggshells and praying that malicious individuals will ignore your app. (1)
If you’re a strategic manager from the healthcare sector, you don’t need to worry. You can find a healthcare web application developer who can ensure that your app is secure and can’t be penetrated. One way you can ensure that your app is secure is by focusing on data collection policies and processes. And for you to do that, you need to take advantage of some of the must-have third-party integrations for your healthcare web application. They can make development faster, easier, and more secure.
These must-have third-party integrations include the following:
- IBM Cloud Integration
When talking about business- and enterprise-level cloud or on-premise application development, you can’t forget about IBM. It has a plethora of tools and integrations that can help with the healthcare web application you’re developing. Some of the notable apps, tools, and platforms you might want to get from this company are Data Refinery, App Connect, and InfoSphere.
Do note that your choice of cloud integration products should depend on the size and functionality of the app you’re developing. So, it’s best that you take time to carefully research the tools IBM offers, as they’re quite costly. Nonetheless, the most significant advantage with them is that you won’t have to worry as much about bugs and issues, as they’re quick to roll out fixes and patches. They also add new functionalities to their products annually.
- Cleo Integration Cloud
For your healthcare web application, you may want to consider getting Cleo. Its primary purpose is to allow you to connect your app to various application programming interfaces (API) and connectors. You may know well that dealing with API can introduce a whole can of worms, especially if the source doesn’t have great support or documentation. (2)
Cleo can help your app integrate, connect, orchestrate, transform, and accept most data types from every source to every target. One of its key features is that it is easy to deploy and can be done in multiple ways. Aside from that, you can also embed it in other software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies.
- Boomi’s AtomSphere
If you want to directly connect your healthcare startup’s web application to another cloud platform, you should consider getting Boomi’s AtomSphere. Unlike most third-party tools, AtomSphere provides you with a user-friendly visual interface, where you can configure the integration between your app and the platform it’s connected to.
- Cloud Elements
If you want to make it simpler to connect your healthcare web app to cloud service endpoints or applications, it’s recommended that you give Cloud Elements a look. Its main selling point is its API integration capability. With it, you can efficiently deal with discovery APIs, unified error handling, event-driven workflows, and normalized authentication.
The best thing about Cloud Elements is the fact that it is developer-focused, making it easy for your chosen software company to fulfill your app’s data requirements. Having it in your healthcare app will allow them to develop and deploy rapidly. Even if you’re creating something else entirely instead of a healthcare app, it can help you immensely, primarily thanks to its standards-based implementation and unified API layer. Basically, it’s like the Java of third-party cloud solutions integration tools.
- InterSystems
If your healthcare web app primarily deals with a lot of data and sensitive information, you may want to check out InterSystems. It’s excellent when it comes to analytics and data management. With it, you won’t need to concern yourself with data structures, storage, and administration.
Not to mention that it offers an adaptable security model. It can help you ensure that you’re in line with the Healthcare Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). You know very well that developing a healthcare app requires you to follow HIPAA’s security and privacy rules to protect the people who will have their identifiable information in your app’s system and database. (3)
- MuleSoft
If your healthcare app is meant to primarily connect and deal with other businesses, then MuleSoft is for you. MuleSoft is an application delivery network that mainly focuses on apps for B2B (business to business) companies. Suppose that your healthcare app doesn’t strictly deal with patients but manages a healthcare provider’s business with suppliers, vendors, and other companies. MuleSoft is the app integration you’ll find the most value with.
- Intelligent Integration Platform from SnapLogic
You have another option when it comes to managing the data that comes in and out of your healthcare web app, and that’s the Intelligent Integration Platform from SnapLogic. It can help you deal with your Internet of Things (IoT) deployments, huge data streams, multiple data warehouses, hundreds of databases, and various applications, including your main healthcare web application.
Conclusion
Those are just a few of the must-have third-party integrations you should get for your healthcare web app. Of course, you don’t need to get all of them, as some of them offer virtually the same purpose and functionalities. For now, spend more time scrutinizing these products to know if they’re right for you and your app. Moreover, don’t forget to research other third-party integrations not mentioned in this list. You should never limit your options.
References:
- “Largest Ever HIPAA Settlement: Advocate Health to Pay OCR $5.5 Million”, Source: https://www.hipaajournal.com/largest-ever-hipaa-settlement-advocate-health-5-5-million-3537/
- “Application Programming Interface (API)”, Source: https://www.ibm.com/cloud/learn/api
- “Summary of the HIPAA Security Rule”, Source: https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/security/laws-regulations/index.html
