The days when the global healthcare system was based on paper records are long gone. In 2022, the red tape jungle is being successfully replaced by digital workflow, specifically electronic health record systems.
In this editorial, we will focus on the existing types of EHR software and the differences between them. Read on to find out if you should give EHR Development a try.
What is an EHR system?
The EHR system is a multifunctional medical software that covers the particular needs of a specific health center. The most common tasks that EHR can perform include:
- patient record storage
- appointment scheduling and management
- reminder system for medical workers
- billing
- online communication
- insurance reimbursement
Please note that the number of functions listed is not final. The functionality of each specific system can be very different. It all depends on the needs of the medical professionals and the administration of the establishment. That is exactly why EHR development services are gaining popularity. Many companies prefer to invest in custom software built specifically to meet their needs rather than spend money on off-the-shelf solutions.
What are the types of EHR systems?
Electronic health records software is different, not just when it comes to the actual functionality. There are other approaches to its classification. We will take a closer look at two of them.
Classification by Application
Different medical institutions may require an EHR solution for different reasons. In this case, the classification of EHRs by application is useful.
- Administrative EHRs handle most aspects of the doctor-patient interaction. It includes meeting history, checkup schedule, test results, health-related data migration, and other types of administrative tasks.
- Reporting EHRs are designed to collect and store available information (eg, statistics, financial information, clinical data, workload information, etc.) for later analysis and measurement of effectiveness.
- Research EHRs are used if a facility requires a large amount of (usually anonymous) medical data to base future clinical research on it.
- Billing/Financial EHRs collect and store patient data that will be needed for an effortless automated billing process. Includes easy-to-use billing tools, insurance information, billing cycles, etc.
- Clinical EHRs are developed to ensure personalized healthcare with maximum efficiency. Through this type of software, medical professionals gain access to the most relevant information related to their patients’ medical care (current treatment, recent test results, allergies, etc.)
Classification by implementation
Another way to categorize electronic medical record systems is by implementation options. In other words, this classification determines where the digital data will be stored.
housed by a doctor
As the name implies, in this case, all the data will be stored on the servers of the particular facility. It means the organization will have to take care of hardware powerful enough to keep the EHR up and running at all times.
The benefits of a physician-hosted EHR include a higher level of performance, maximum control over system security, and protection of sensitive data. However, there are also some disadvantages. First of all, not all medical organizations will be able to afford the necessary equipment for the correct operation of the system, since it is quite expensive. Second, there will be a need for a techie (or even a team) on staff, who will oversee the system and do maintenance/troubleshooting when necessary.
Consequently, physician-hosted EHRs are not the most popular these days. For the most part, this type of deployment is the prerogative of companies and large-scale medical facilities.
remotely hosted
If the organization is unable (or unwilling) to invest in a physician-hosted EHR, the alternative is a remotely hosted EHR. It means that both storage and maintenance + other IT needs are in the hands of a third party.
This option is often preferred by smaller practices and organizations that are primarily focused on data collection and analysis. Although remote hosting requires regular payments, the expenses are not as high as for a doctor-hosted EHR.
It is crucial to mention that any remotely hosted EHR falls into one of three subtypes: cloud, subsidized, and dedicated.
Let’s start with the most popular option: cloud-hosted EHRs. The popularity of cloud-based systems is based on two significant advantages. First of all, it is the cheapest. In addition, it gives medical professionals quick and easy access to all data through any Internet-connected device. The principle of cloud-hosted systems is also very easy to understand: the chosen IT provider stores the available data in the cloud, fixes problems when necessary, and ensures uninterrupted access for all authorized users.
The subsidized model is much less sought after. Mainly because it offers the professional zero control over any data. The subsidized approach means that a health care organization with which the medical professional cooperates subsidizes the cost of the EHR. In this case, all possible technical questions are again resolved by a third party, but all control is on the side of a subsidizing entity.
Dedicated hosting is a compromise between the two previous options. It suggests that the medical center chooses a provider and entrusts it with the storage of data on its servers. The location of the servers is usually chosen to safeguard maximum operational efficiency and smooth workflow. Even so, even though professionals know the location of the servers, the level of data control is still quite low.
Last words
The adoption of electronic medical records still has a long way to go. The global pandemic has fueled the development process (by 2022, the global EHR market size reached USD 26.78 billion), but in some countries, the outlook is much brighter than in others.
It means that any healthcare related business has some time to choose the right EHR system, think carefully about the implementation strategy, and finally reap the benefits that this innovative software brings!
There are many options in the modern EHR market: different types of systems. Numerous vendors and IT providers offer development and maintenance services, hundreds of payment plans for hosting, and out-of-the-box solutions. Take your time and analyze all the available information. A smart choice of an EHR system can really make or break the future success of your business.
Categories: How to
Source: vtt.edu.vn