Navigating the intricate landscape of healthcare, whether in the confines of a modest medical center or the expansive halls of a multidisciplinary hospital, highlights a crucial truth – there’s no one-size-fits-all EHR system for every healthcare organization. Much like the personalized care tailored to individual patients, hospitals themselves require a distinctive approach.
Each medical entity stands as a unique organism with specific structures and limitations. Consider a children’s ophthalmology clinic – its EHR needs differ significantly from those of a national cardiology hospital.
This diversity becomes even more evident as hospitals grow, morphing into multi-location organizations housing highly specialized departments. Amid such transformations, maintaining operational efficiency becomes paramount. A smooth transition demands an internal system that flexibly adapts to structural changes while consistently delivering optimal results.
This adaptability extends to the EHR system, a pivotal element ensuring the evolving needs of patients, healthcare providers, and suppliers are effectively met.
Benefits of Custom EHR Systems
EHR offers a holistic view of patient health information
The main difference between Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and Electronic Health Records (EHR) lies in their scope and collaborative capabilities. EMR functions as a localized data management system, confined within a specific medical setting such as a hospital or medical center. It primarily focuses on handling patient records within that singular environment.
On the other hand, EHR signifies a more expansive approach, emphasizing the shareability of patient data and the integration of healthcare records from diverse sources. It facilitates continuous data interchange and synchronization across various healthcare systems and stakeholders, including insurance providers, pharmacists, and medical specialists.
Streamline practice workflows with a custom EHR software
Elevate your medical practice with a custom EHR system and experience a new level of clinical excellence and patient care.
This cross-organizational approach grants EHR the capability to provide comprehensive insights into a patient’s health history and background, enabling healthcare providers to formulate highly individualized treatment plans.
Over the last decade, the EHR market has witnessed a steady ascent, with the global electronic health records market size reaching $26.2 Billion in 2018 and anticipated to achieve $39.9 Billion by 2026, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.4% during the forecast period. [1]
Enhanced patient experience with custom EHR software
Let’s delve into a common scenario encountered in the medical journey of patients facing chronic diseases, with a particular focus on the challenges seen in the oncology realm.
In navigating the complexities of chronic conditions such as cancer, individuals frequently confront issues related to historical medical information sharing and coordination among healthcare providers.
Without such systems in place, patients often experience the inconvenience of repeatedly sharing treatment details with various specialists during each appointment, leading to inefficiencies and potential delays in decision-making.
Custom electronic health records emerge as the catalysts for transforming the healthcare workflow. It allows the patient’s journey to begin with the creation of a secure patient portal, a digital haven where their medical data finds a safe abode. In this personalized space, patients gain access to their medical records, ensuring enhanced communication with their healthcare providers.
In the healthcare industry, custom EHR software serves as a patient’s digital portal. Beyond digital health records, the patient’s digital portal becomes a dynamic hub housing lab results, imaging reports, historical medical information, and drug-to-allergy interactions. This empowerment extends to scheduling, prescriptions, and interactive communication with healthcare providers, streamlining tasks, and enhancing communication.
A custom electronic healthcare record could also serve as a personalized health assistant. Offering medication reminders, wellness insights, and customized educational resources, it promotes proactive preventive care.
The implementation of a custom EHR system emerged as a valuable ally, enhancing the efficiency, healthcare outcomes, and overall patient experience in their care journey. The custom EHR system could transform the healthcare industry, providing a holistic and integrated approach to quality of care.
A new level of healthcare workflow efficiency
Moving beyond the challenges posed by traditional healthcare systems, custom EHR solutions have emerged as transformative tools that elevate healthcare workflow efficiency to unprecedented levels. Tailored to the specific needs of healthcare providers, custom EHR systems seamlessly integrate into the existing clinical infrastructure, streamlining tasks, and minimizing redundancies.
By incorporating specialized modules for different medical specialties, these systems optimize data entry, retrieval, and analysis, allowing clinicians to focus more on patient care and less on administrative tasks. The personalized nature of custom EHRs ensures that clinical workflows align with the unique processes of each healthcare organization, fostering a more efficient and patient-centric approach to healthcare delivery.
In the following table, we explore the multifaceted impact of EHRs on clinical workflows. Each category outlines how these systems contribute to efficiency, ranging from time savings and administrative simplification to improved patient safety and financial benefits.
|
Category |
How do EHRs contribute? |
|
Time savings |
Significantly reduce the time spent searching for patient information, allowing healthcare professionals to allocate more time to direct patient care. |
|
Reduction in administrative burden |
Streamline administrative tasks such as appointment scheduling, billing, and coding, freeing up staff to focus on essential clinical responsibilities. |
|
Enhanced communication and information sharing |
The interoperability of EHRs ensures seamless communication between different healthcare providers and departments, improving collaboration and making patient information readily accessible across the healthcare continuum. |
|
Improved patient safety |
Contribute to patient safety by providing real-time access to accurate and up-to-date medical information, reducing the risk of medication errors, and enhancing overall patient care quality. |
|
Efficient data retrieval and analysis |
Enable efficient retrieval and analysis of patient data, supporting evidence-based practices and personalized medicine, which leads to better-informed clinical decision-making and treatment planning. |
|
Financial benefits |
Implementation positively impacts finances through improved billing accuracy, reduced administrative costs, and streamlined reimbursement processes, contributing to the overall financial efficiency of healthcare organizations. |
|
Streamlined staff onboarding |
Simplify the onboarding process for new staff members by providing centralized access to training materials, protocols, and organizational information, contributing to a smoother and more efficient onboarding experience. |
|
Optimized marketing planning |
EHRs can enhance marketing planning by providing insights into patient demographics, preferences, and health trends. This data allows healthcare organizations to tailor marketing strategies more effectively, reaching target audiences and maximizing the impact of promotional efforts. |
Improved patient safety and privacy measures in custom EHR systems
Custom EHR systems not only revolutionize clinical workflows but also prioritize the robust security and privacy of patient data. They are tailored to meet the specific needs and security requirements of healthcare organizations.
Ensuring the security of source code is paramount in the development of custom EHR systems, as it forms the backbone of these applications. A secure source code is essential to prevent unauthorized access, which could potentially compromise the integrity of patient data and the overall functionality of the healthcare software.
Transform healthcare deliverywith high-skilled, seamlessly integrated IT talent
Our tailored solutions ensure that your unique medical entity thrives with enhanced workflow efficiency, patient safety, and data security.
To enhance the security of EHR software, developers can implement stringent password policies and restrict access to authorized personnel through Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). Encrypted connections, such as HTTPS and SSH, play a crucial role in safeguarding data during transmission, adding layers of protection against potential threats.
The pitfalls of off-the-shelf EHR solutions
Having explored the benefits of EHR systems in optimizing healthcare workflows, it’s crucial to delve into the critical choice between off-the-shelf solutions and tailor-made alternatives.
Off-the-shelf EHR systems boast advantages like swift and cost-effective implementation, minimal effort required from adopters, and access to abundant pre-made training materials. With a large community of users offering advice online, they provide a supportive environment for new users.
While off-the-shelf solutions offer speed and cost-effectiveness, they may lack the flexibility needed for specific healthcare organizations. Adopters might find themselves conforming to pre-established processes, and as their needs evolve, scalability challenges may emerge.
Limited customization options drawback of off-the-shelf EHR systems
A well-designed custom EHR system is a dynamic solution that prioritizes the needs and capabilities of two key user groups – patients and healthcare providers, including administration.
The effectiveness of this system is optimized when it seamlessly supports the daily tasks of both parties, ensuring easy access to each patient’s medical history, prioritizing patient safety, and enhancing treatment effectiveness.
This user-centric approach ensures that the custom EHR system not only meets the diverse requirements of healthcare professionals but also enhances data accessibility and satisfaction, improving patient outcomes.
The impact of intuitive interfaces in custom EHR systems
The design of user-friendly interfaces in custom EHR systems serves as a compass, assisting physicians with intricate clinical workflows. This becomes even more crucial when considering the essence of a patient experience, emphasizing that the design of custom systems needs to reflect the logical hierarchy inherent in a person-centered approach. [3]
Picture a scenario where a physician navigates the software interface, effortlessly accessing a patient’s comprehensive medical history through an intuitive dashboard. The user-friendly design not only streamlines daily tasks for healthcare providers but also ensures that the EHR system becomes a visual representation of the tailored, person-centered approach, contributing to improved treatment effectiveness.
Consider a nurse updating treatment plans with a few clicks, thanks to an interface that mirrors familiar clinical workflows. The intuitive nature of the EHR system reduces the risk of errors and enhances overall clinical efficiency.
Furthermore, in a collaborative environment, a multidisciplinary care team benefits from interfaces that facilitate seamless communication, ensuring everyone is on the same page regarding patient care.
This level of specificity in user-friendly design not only streamlines daily tasks for healthcare professionals but also ensures that the EHR system becomes a tool that enhances their expertise and contributes to improved patient outcomes. The intuitive interface becomes a conduit for precision, allowing healthcare professionals to focus on what they do best—delivering exceptional patient care.
The cost-effectiveness of custom EHR systems for sustainable healthcare practices
Embarking on a journey toward a custom EHR system is not just an investment in the present; it’s a commitment to the future sustainability of healthcare practices.
Implementing high-quality EHR improves epidemic surveillance, decreases the length of patient stay, achieves work efficiency by reducing non-value-adding activities, achieves goals, and helps to make timely decisions at reduced cost. [4]
While the initial costs of custom development may appear higher, the system’s tailored design ensures a seamless fit with existing workflows, minimizing disruptions and enhancing overall efficiency. This adaptability proves essential in navigating the evolving landscape of healthcare regulations, technologies, and patient care practices.
The long-term value of a custom EHR system becomes evident as it not only prevents the need for frequent system replacements but also contributes to substantial cost savings over time.
The system’s efficiency gains, coupled with improved patient outcomes, result in a positive return on investment, reinforcing its role as a strategic and fiscally responsible choice for healthcare practices dedicated to long-term success.
BGO’s experience in EHR system development
When contemplating a business-changing decision like custom EHR adoption the pivotal question echoes – ‘Does it suit my organization?’ To navigate this transformative path, a thorough examination of your organizational goals, financial considerations, and operational capacity is essential.
This introspective approach ensures that the adoption of custom EHR aligns harmoniously with your organization’s distinct objectives, making it a strategic move tailored to your unique needs.
The process of building a custom EHR
Embarking on the journey to build a tailored EHR system with BGO Software involves a meticulous development process, ensuring alignment with your practice needs and set criteria.
Starting with the crucial step of setting clear goals and expectations, we collaborate closely with your staff, recognizing that identifying flaws in the current workflow is fundamental. Defining a realistic budget, including customization consultancy, training fees, system upgrades, and more, becomes the foundation for cost-effectiveness.
Our dedicated teams then focus on preparing a robust IT infrastructure, emphasizing security protocols and compliance with HIPAA standards. Pursuing certifications from relevant health authorities, we strictly adhere to technical standards and protocols, placing a premium on security and compliance.
The process begins with a seamless transfer of data from legacy systems, guaranteeing a smooth transition. Subsequently, tailored EHR training sessions are conducted for each practice, ensuring that the staff is well-prepared for optimal system utilization.
In parallel, our focus extends to enhancing patient engagement through the optimization of this software for mobile phones. This strategic improvement not only facilitates easy access to health information but also empowers patients to actively engage in managing their healthcare journey.
The culmination of our process is the go-live phase, where we ensure a flawless launch through thorough testing and comprehensive training programs. Post-launch, our commitment continues with a detailed reflection, actively tracking the performance of your custom EHR software.
We address any minor issues promptly and provide ongoing training for your staff, ensuring a seamless and continuously optimized healthcare system.
Final tip for your custom EHR success story
Embarking on the journey to optimize your EHR system is akin to constructing a puzzle – start with the basics and build incrementally. By doing so, you can dynamically observe shifts in both patient and team dynamics, allowing you to fine-tune the software accordingly in real-time.
Whether you’re a startup, a Fortune 100 company or a government organisation, our team can deliver a solution that works for you.
BGO Software
Streamlining your workflow for optimal efficiency is a gradual process, uniquely tailored to each setting. Place your trust in our seasoned professionals to guide you through this transformative journey, ensuring that you build precisely what you need.
References:
[1] The global electronic health records (EHR) market size stood at USD 26,200.48 million in 2018 and is projected to reach USD 39,913.16 million by 2026, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period., Market Research Report, 2020
[2] Campanella, P., Lovato, E., Marone, Cl., Fallacara, L., Mancuso, A., Ricciardi, W., Specchia, M.L., The impact of electronic health records on healthcare quality: a systematic review and meta-analysis, Eur J Public Health, 2016
[3] Tondora,J., PsyD, Stanhope, V., PhD, MSW, Grieder, D., MEd, and Wartenberg, D., PsyD, MA, The Promise and Pitfalls of Electronic Health Records and Person-Centered Care Planning, 2021
[4] Adane, K., Gizachew, M., Semalegne Kendie, S., The role of medical data in efficient patient care delivery: a review, 2019
