EMR Software Benefits

Besides financial profitability, practices have seen the following benefits of using EHR/EMR Software:

• Improved practice efficiency
• Streamlined administrative tasks
• Improved profitability and revenue cycle (Medical Billing Services)
• Improved Patient Engagement (via Patient Portal)
• Decreased stationary costs
• Improved collections due to more organized claims
• Automated alerts and reminders help patients return to the office when necessary and notify the practice about any potential risk
• Enhanced Security and Safety (Cloud Storage & Back-ups) - Cloud-based EMR Software

EMR Software by Specialty

Specialty-specific EMR Software or EHR Software must be fairly customizable to the unique style and documentation requirements since all medical practices have a specific need based on the background and medical specialty. For example, Pain Management or Dermatology-specific EMR software should include the ability to store before/after photos and to annotate on images. Similarly, specialties like Pediatrics, Oncology, Podiatry, Ophthalmology, Neurology, Nephrology, Dialysis Centers, Rheumatology, and Chiropractic Care require their unique set of features to simplify adoption.

EMR Software by Practice Size

Because of the massive adaptability requirement, every EMR Software is not suitable for any practice. As an EMR Software designed for hospitals or multi-provider clinics does not necessarily support a solo or a small practice. So what are the factors that will make an EHR Software vendor viable for your medical practice?

From solo to large providers and multi-specialty clinics, every practice has its unique set of challenges that must be addressed by the Electronic Medical Records (EMR) software vendor some of which are listed below.

Small or Solo Provider Practices

Small or solo practices with small office space and a limited number of staff members are generally short on the budget compared to larger practices. Due to these constraints, many providers simply prefer cloud-based EMR software and employ Free EMR Software or choose an affordable EHR Software vendor with a low fixed monthly fee.

Medium-Sized Practices

Often belonging to the same medical specialty, the medium-sized practices require unique features such as interoperability, dedicated customer support, multi-device support as well as extensive reporting functionality to keep an eye on the overall performance of the practice, as their budget is also comparatively larger.

Large practices

Larger medical practices usually offer medical services that fall under various medical specialties (e.g. Orthopedics, Pain Management, Surgery, Chiropractic Medicine, Family Medicine, etc.). Comprising fifteen to twenty medical providers, these practices often require support for multiple users to access the systems simultaneously. Scheduling software and a scalable solution to accommodate multiple locations, providers and resources such as Dialysis Chairs, procedure room allocation, etc. are also the requirements of larger practices.

Hospitals or enterprise organizations

Hospitals or enterprises are often the target market of EMR software companies such as Athenahealth, McKesson, Epic, Cerner, eClinicalWorks, Allscripts, NextGen, drChrono, and Meditech, etc. and they usually provide ideal EHR software solutions for larger corporations such as ACOs, PCMH, IPAs, CINs (Clinically Integrated Networks), and Public Health Departments, etc. These EMR software companies usually offer features like integration with multiple other software and medical devices, inventory management modules, interface with local labs (LIS), machines and diagnostic equipment along with drug dispensing (pharmacy management software) and electronic medication administration record (EMAR), etc.

Tips to consider when choosing an EMR Vendor

Electronic Medical Records (EMR) consist of various software, all with different functionalities and applications. Here are a few tips one should consider before selecting an EMR Software:

Security

Safety and security of patient data and medical records is a principal concern for not only clinicians and medical providers, but their patients as well. A strong EMR Software ensures the safety and security of medical records and all the related patient information and guarantees HIPAA Compliance providing them privacy (especially during the patient’s communication with their doctor via Patient Portal). Top EMR Software Vendors from today (AdvancedMD, PrognoCIS, Modernizing Medicine, Chirotouch, Kareo, etc.) use data encryption technologies and other advanced tools in the EMR Software to make sure that they safeguard patient records.

Cloud-based EMR software

Due to its various advantages, Cloud-based EMR has grown more popular among physicians lately. A Cloud-based EHR software is mostly device independent and supports multiple devices such as Smartphones (iPhones and Android phones) iPhones, iPads, desktop computers, and laptops. The EMR software can be accessed from any location at any time provided that internet access is available. The Cloud-based EHR Software technology usually requires minimum or no maintenance or upfront cost making it ideal for doctors running small clinics and private practices. Some of the Cloud-based EMR Software vendors include ChartPerfect, Care Cloud, AllegienceMD, CureMD, ChartLogic, etc.

ONC-ATCB Certified EMR Software

One of the characteristics of a strong EMR software is that it is ONC-ATCB certified and complies with the guidelines and protocols defined by the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC). The software vendors who comply with these measures go through severe testing and conform at a benchmark level set by the federal body. This testing ensures that all areas of the software are checked for example Patient Portal, the way the software communicates with Pharmacies via E-prescription (e-Rx), HIEs, labs, hospitals, etc. Most of the EHR vendors nowadays have all the details related to their compliance with the standards established by the ONC (Click here) present online.

Mac EMR Software

Today when it comes to the world of computers and digital devices, Apple is the undisputed leader in the US. Therefore, it won’t be odd if healthcare providers today specifically look for EMR Software that works on Mac systems (Mac EMR Software). However, unfortunately not all EMR software vendors support Mac devices, therefore when looking for an EMR system it is essential that the EHR Software has built-in support for Mac so that the software can be used with existing systems and any further investment in new computers can be avoided.

Specialty EHR software

Certain specialty-specific Electronic health records (EHR) systems must offer unique tools for that specialty for clinical documentation. For example for gastroenterology, the EMR system should include specific tools that should be able to document clinical workflow and specify the area of concern (for e.g. issues concerning the GI tract) and must offer much more than capturing raw data or text. (Gastroenterology EMR Software).

Specific Services

When selecting an EMR System, one of the basic and most important decisions that you need to make is if you want the EMR Software solution by itself or integrated with a Practice Management System for scheduling and billing. Having an integrated EHR and PM solution has its pros, yet there have been instances where practices chose an EHR by itself, as they had some unique needs that EMR Software vendors could not be met or they had already made large payments for separate Practice Management solutions and could not replace it, in fact, were bound to use it.

Integrated Practice Management Software

With competition rising every day in the field of healthcare IT, many EHR Vendors who provide integrated Practice Management solutions included in the software bundle easily outclass competitors with standalone EMR Software including the ones that offer a specialty-specific EMR Solution. EHR software providers with integrated Practice Management systems often tend to offer wide-spread reporting competencies to monitor how the practice performs and manages administrative tasks better.

Market Trends to Be Aware Of

The EHR Software industry, like everything else, goes through constant changes all the time. Whether it’s new innovations or updates in technology or changes in legalities, the EMR Systems industry is always changing. Following is a list of such changes that you should keep track of.

Cloud-Based Services

A recent study shows that only 25% of physicians have shown interest in web-based EHR software systems and only 50% have adopted it as an initial model that will ultimately transition to cloud-based software. The cloud-based EMR system cuts down the costs of having and maintaining all the hardware and client servers. It can be hosted on any device which has a web browser. That is why healthcare software vendors are switching to cloud-based EHR software solutions.

Changing Dynamics

Technology is innovating daily, and this constantly influences the development of electronic health records software. One example is the recent implementations of AI virtual assistants in health IT solutions, speeding up the diagnostic process and increasing practice efficiency. Other tech giants are also entering the healthcare field, such as Apple and Google. With their massive budgets, they can invest heavily in R&D without taking many risks. They have also already witnessed the issues that arise from the lack of interoperability in current iterations of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) solutions and are very unlikely to make the same mistakes. This competition is great for consumers and clinicians as it will force EMR software vendors to rapidly modernize their systems with far more regular updates, meaning large-scale changes are on the horizon.

Real-time Analytics

Healthcare facilities accumulate massive amounts of patient data. Patient health and financial data let EMR vendors help physicians with Clinical Decision Support (CDS). Leveraging analytics algorithm predictions can solve interoperability-related accessibility issues. Data warehouse development is also an option to ensure more accurate patient data thanks to automation.

Accessibility

More EMR software vendors are widening their type of practices, to become accessible to more healthcare practices. However, optimizing these EHR software solutions for these different needs is only becoming more difficult since the number of people with expertise, time, and knowledge in health IT is only decreasing. As predicted by Douglas W. Bowerman, MD, we should see a continuous trend of accessibility in Electronic Medical Records software in terms of how it can be accessed and who it is accessed by.

Better Patient Access

Despite promising patients access to medical records, this feature has not yet fully materialized in electronic health records (EHR) systems. A study in 2019 found that only 10% of patients who had access to their records online actually accessed them; of them, 63% were encouraged to do so by their healthcare providers. In order to prepare for potential regulatory changes in the future, software developers are updating EHR systems to be easier to navigate and better fit the patients’ needs. Practices themselves are also now providing proper guidance and awareness about the importance of regularly checking one’s own records to familiarize themselves before appointments.

Block-chain

Although more commonly used for cryptocurrency and NFTs, blockchain technology is being increasingly used in Electronic Health Records software as well. The blockchain allows EMR data to be secured through cryptography, making it available only to those who have access to it in the first place. As an example, the blockchain can validate clinical trial and claims results, track medicine distribution and prevent insurance fraud. Although the usage of blockchain in Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems has only just begun since the start of 2022, it is already being used to secure data and ensure confidentiality.

Reducing Errors

In their current state, EHR and EMR software do not properly address medical error prevention. Previously, illegible handwriting on paper prescriptions was blamed, but over-reliance on computers to supply the correct doses for medication can prove to be equally as dangerous. For example, a 16-year-old patient in 2013 was prescribed 38 tablets of medication, which turned out to be an overdose for someone of that age. These sorts of errors are far more common than we would like to believe. Currently, details such as patient implants may not be added to the system before radiological imaging since EHRs don’t actually have a standard place to store notes. In the future, electronic medical records (EMR) software developers are striving to dramatically reduce these errors by decluttering the physician notification center which could cause less time spent attending to patients.

Searchability

One of the biggest hassles in dealing with current EMR software (and EHR software) is being able to easily navigate through mountains of data. Despite large leaps in healthcare technology in recent years, EHR software systems are clearly behind in terms of their ease of use and user interfaces. Electronic Medical Records systems should ideally facilitate easier data access than paper files, and EMR vendors are starting to implement updated iterations of user interfaces in their EMR software solutions to better achieve this goal.

Wearable Devices

Largely spearheaded by big tech companies such as Apple, wearable devices are surging in popularity in medical fields – the market is expected to grow 26.8% from 2022 to 2028. The devices have improved the accessibility of health metrics and have made medical diagnosis simpler. Integrating the data from wearable devices into EHR software systems has the potential to massively improve patient healthcare and Electronic Medical Records software. The devices include various sensors that can track body activity and monitor environmental factors. Currently, they come in many different forms, such as smartwatches, fitness trackers, and specialized apps on mobile phones.

Patient-Centric Engagement

Boosting patient engagement through the scheduling and treatment process is imperative to the growth of your business. One method is to make content available through patient communities or just increase patient outreach. Regular appointment reminders for upcoming appointments (see Appointment Reminder EMR Software) can reduce cancellations while further increasing patient engagement.

Easy Access

The healthcare IT industry is adapting EMR software to the latest technologies not to only secure, but to also provide fast and easy access for patients to their own data. Patients need to be informed and engage timely so that they will have a better trust level with their providers. To achieve greater health outcomes, we will continue to see this trend for a longer period.

Widespread Interoperability

Electronic Health Records (EMR) systems don’t offer patients the ability to access their own records across multiple healthcare organizations due to the lack of data-sharing standards set between different practices. This causes significant problems for patients who receive care from multiple different centers. This also makes the diagnosis of patients harder for physicians and healthcare providers. Due to this, EHR software providers are updating their software to include interoperability and integration features to allow data to be shared between these different organizations.

Patient Portal

Patient portal EMR software completely eliminates the need for paperwork and the manual retrieval of data. On top of this, patient medical records can be available on demand by offering a portal that patients themselves can access directly. Having easy access to their data encourages patients to be more engaged in their health journey, which eases the medical diagnosis process from healthcare specialists.

Artificial Intelligence

In recent years, advancements in AI and machine learning have dramatically changed the healthcare industry. As these technologies continue to evolve, they are likely to have a significant impact on the future of Electronic Health Records software systems. By leveraging AI and machine learning algorithms, EMR software solutions can become more intuitive and efficient, can better streamline clinical workflows, and improve patient outcomes. The application of AI and machine learning will also enable Health IT systems to provide more personalized and proactive care, by analyzing patient data and identifying potential health issues early on. Additionally, these technologies have the potential to revolutionize clinical research and drug development by providing access to vast amounts of patient data and insights.