| Electronic medical records |
Electronic health records software (EHR) is a software that assists in developing and storing patient medical records digitally. This unique system assists physicians in tracking patient histories, notes, medications, and demographics. The most popular features of EHR software include e-prescribing, E&M coding advice, and SOAP notes. Quality Electronic Health Records Software (EHR) also offers lab integration, voice recognition, tablet support, and device integration. |
| Medical billing |
Medical billing modules or Medical Billing software manage the development of patient statements and submission of insurance claims. Key functions of such systems include claim scrubbing, e-claim submission, coding, payment posting, eligibility inquiry, and reporting. |
| Patient scheduling |
This module is designed to automate the entire process of scheduling patient appointments. Core features of a good patient scheduling module may include sending reminders through phone, text message, and email, automated follow–ups, and multi–location support. Such modules are usually offered along with a billing module in a practice management software suite. |
| Radiology information systems |
A radio information system (RIS) manages the workflow and operations of radiology imaging centers or large medical practices with radiology imaging departments. Such EHR Software or modules automate the entire process of storing, operating, and distributing patient medical images and related data. |
| Picture archiving and communications systems |
PACS is designed to manage, store, and retrieve DICOM images. Such systems are often used in combination with a RIS (Radio Information System) to perform the radiology workflow proficiently. |
| Medical Accounting |
The term Medical accounting refers to a system designed to automate accounting processes for medical practices. Major functions of such systems include general ledger, A/P, A/R, and financial reporting. |
EMR Software Benefits
Besides financial profitability, practices have seen the following benefits of using an 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 helping patients return to the office when necessary and notifying the practice about any potential risk
- Enhanced Security and Safety (Cloud Storage & Back-ups) – Cloud-based EMR Software
EMR Software by Specialty
Specialty-specific software like substance abuse electronic medial records software enables physicians and other medical professionals to store detailed clinical information, such as demographics, medical history, social history, lab reports, etc.
Specialty-specific EMR 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, Substance Abuse EHR Software must include Standardized screening tools (e.g., AUDIT, DAST) and comprehensive assessment tools for substance abuse history. Similarly, specialties like Pediatrics, Oncology, Podiatry, Ophthalmology, Neurology, 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 and procedure room allocation, 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
The 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. It 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 Software, InSync EHR Software, Essentia EMR Software by Netsmart, Modernizing Medicine, Tebra EMR Software, 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.
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 the EHR Software must have 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 substance abuse, the EMR system should include specific tools such as standardized screening tools (e.g., AUDIT, DAST) for monitoring patient progress and empowering therapists.
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 widespread 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 innovations or updates in technology, or changes in legalities, the EMR Software 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 the physicians have shown interest in the web-based EHR software systems and only 50% have adopted it as an initial model that will ultimately transit to cloud-based software. The cloud-based EMR software 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.
