Back in 2012, only a mere 6% of healthcare providers had embraced EHR systems, but fast forward to today, and that number has skyrocketed to nearly 59%! The question is, why such an incredible surge? Well, the answer is simple - EHR systems offer a plethora of benefits that healthcare providers can't afford to miss out on!
Ready to learn all there is to know about EHR systems? In this blog, we're going to cover everything you need to know about EHR systems. Let’s Get started!
What is EHR?
Electronic Health Record or EHR is a real-time record of patient-centered medical data. It replaces conventional paper-based medical records that are clumsy and inaccurate.
Authorized users can access patient information instantly and securely.
However, the EHR is designed to provide more than just storage and accessibility of patients’ health records. When implemented, the EHR has the potential to:
- Contain the medical history, medications, allergies, diagnoses, radiology images, and test and lab results of the patient.
- Allow healthcare providers to access tools and methodologies based on history and evidence so that patients are entitled to a better and more advanced healthcare procedure.
- Automate and streamline the workflow.
Difference Between EHR and EMR in Healthcare
So, when it comes to managing patient information in healthcare, there are two main systems you'll hear about: Electronic Health Records (EHR) and Electronic Medical Records (EMR). While the terms may sound similar, they actually have some key differences.
| EHR ( Electronic Health Record) | EMR (Electronic Medical Record) |
| Contains comprehensive health information about a patient, including medical history, allergies, lab results, and more. | Contains medical information about a patient from a single healthcare provider, including diagnoses, medications, and treatment plans. |
| Can be accessed securely by patients, allowing them to view and manage their health information online. | Patients do not typically have access to their EMR. |
| Can be accessed securely by patients, allowing them to view and manage their health information online. | Patients do not typically have access to their EMR. |
Now that you understand the difference between EHR and EMR, let's dive deeper into the world of EHR and explore all of its features and benefits!
What Data Does the EHR Contain?
EHR contains some essential patient-related information such as:
- Diagnoses
- Administrative data such as contact details, insurance etc.
- Billing data
- Vital signs such as BP, sugar, etc.
- Radiology Images
- Medications
- Lab and test results
- Immunization dates
- Progress notes
- Patient demographics
Benefits of Using EHRs in the Healthcare Industry
Since EHR has been gaining wide popularity, here are some of the benefits that have paved the way to its popularity.
Improved Patient Care
One of the most significant benefits of using EHRs is the improved methodologies in patient care. Using EHRs gives healthcare providers access to the complete medical history of the patient which allows for a much more accurate diagnosis and treatment procedures.
Another benefit is that the medical history can also include interactions of patients with drugs, their allergies, and other critical details that can majorly impact patient care.
Improved Efficiency
EHRs have led to a lot of reduction in time utility. With all the data being saved electronically, healthcare providers can quickly access patient information and share it with other internal stakeholders who may be required to perform medical procedures on patients. This has reduced the need for any kind of paperwork.
Enhanced Data Accuracy and Security
The medical history of patients is extremely sensitive and critical information. The utmost need that arises here is the protection and security of this database.
EHRs are extremely reliable because they provide enhanced security and protection for these critical pieces of information. There are multiple levels of protection so that there is no compromise of patient data.
Cost Saving
Since EHRs eliminate the need for paperwork and paper-based systems, there is no requirement for printing and storage costs of this database. They also reduce the need for additional tests and medical procedures that save time and money.
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Must-Have Features of an EHR System
Choosing an EHR system is a critical decision for any healthcare organization. To help you make an informed decision, let's take a look at some of the must-have features of an EHR system.
- Customizable Templates: An EHR system should allow for customizable templates that fit the unique needs of your healthcare organization. This allows healthcare providers to efficiently document patient encounters and ensure consistent data entry.
- Integration with other Systems: An EHR system should integrate seamlessly with other systems, such as billing and practice management software, to streamline workflows and reduce errors.
- Clinical Decision Support: A good EHR system should provide clinical decision support, such as alerts for drug interactions or reminders for preventative care. This helps providers make informed decisions and improve patient outcomes.
- Secure Patient Portal: An EHR system should include a secure patient portal, allowing patients to access their health information and communicate with their healthcare providers. This improves patient engagement and satisfaction.
- Mobile Accessibility: In today's fast-paced world, an EHR system should be accessible from mobile devices. This allows healthcare providers to access patient information on-the-go and improves efficiency.
- Robust Reporting Capabilities: An EHR system should provide robust reporting capabilities, allowing healthcare organizations to track clinical outcomes, financial performance, and other key metrics.
What is the Future of EHR?
EHR has been progressively gaining wide attention due to its user-friendliness. However, there does remain a significant amount of work that needs to be done when it comes to implementing EHR full-fledged.
Some inclusions in EHRs can make it a great step towards better management of patient healthcare records and also widen the accuracy of medical procedures and treatment.
As per experts, some of the following changes may be incorporated into EHRs in the near future:
- Reduction of manually entering data into the system
- Enabling better ways to increase patient engagement
- Allowing for more accurate decisions
- Creating a better detail-oriented narrative of the patient
- Remote monitoring
- Increasing transparency between healthcare providers and patients
- Providing better care to patients
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How to use EHR in Healthcare Effectively
The use of EHR is growing exponentially. However, it has posed several challenges. Two primary concerns around this are:
a. Lack of proper integration and standardization of EHR data.
Due to the lack of integration and standardization, there is difficulty in comparing data and information across various systems.
b. Requirement of skilled personnel for development and integration of data.
The lack of skilled personnel has led to data overload as there is nobody to handle the data correctly. Some challenges related to this are:
- Setting priorities correctly
- Commingling the available data
- Accessing the data
- Checking relevant KPIs
The good news, however, is that the two problems mentioned can be overcome. To implement EHR properly in your organization, here is what can be done:
1. Assess your organization’s readiness
It is important to be aware financially and operationally before considering the implementation of EHRs. Ensure that you have a very good business case and a sufficient budget to accommodate a new system.
2.Build a roadmap for precise implementation
A roadmap is always helpful. In this case, create a plan on how to implement EHR. It is nice to have answers to these questions on your roadmap:
- How long will it take to implement the system completely?
- How will the staff be trained on the EHR system?
- Who shall be required to sign off on each and every decision?
3.Choose a Certified EHR
The market has several EHRs available for healthcare providers. However, it is important that you opt for a certified EHR. Certified EHRs comply with all the guidelines set by the WHO and Government. Healthcare Software Development Company services cater to custom EHR requirements and ensure you are supplied with certified and complied EHRs.
How is Data Stored on the EHR?
Every EHR system uses different storing mechanisms depending on the amount of data. Some EHRs store data on local servers present within their premises while others prefer storing them on remote servers which is relevant in case they opt for cloud-based software and SaaS (Software-as-a-service).
Narola Infotech has a set of skilled developers who can help you with the development of EHR, integration, and data storage. Custom healthcare software development practices at Narola will help you customize your EHR in a cost-effective manner.
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The Bottom Line
The EHRs have successfully made medical records more accessible in a much more secure and reliable way. Healthcare providers have the ability to gain access to a patient’s medical history and make informed decisions for further procedures that they may have to carry out.
Set to Start Your Healthcare Project?
As a leading Healthcare Software Development Company in New York, Narola Infotech has 17 years of industry experience in helping medical organizations of every size and scope with EHR development. Our cutting-edge solutions automate workflows and elevate the quality of patient care to the next level. Let us guide you toward transforming your healthcare operations with our expertise and innovative technology.