The widespread adoption of cloud computing emerges as the healthcare industry continues to evolve. These technologies are playing a pivotal role with a reasonable growth rate. Recent studies show that cloud EMR software is one of the fastest-growing deployment methods and accounts for most of the market share in the EMR industry. It is one of the most reliable ways to reduce the costs of maintaining the health IT systems in hospitals, handling sensitive information, and reducing the load on servers on the premises.
Healthcare providers are now leveraging this technology to optimize workflows, offer customization in care plans, and gain efficiencies to improve health outcomes. Cloud technology maintains patient health records in the cloud instead of internal servers located at a medical practice. It lets users examine work progress in charts and graphs to evaluate strengths and weaknesses.
We have designed this comprehensive guide to give you an idea of how your healthcare organization can benefit from this revolutionary technology in the long-run.
What features should you look for in a cloud EMR?
When adopting a cloud-based solution, you should look for the following functions:
- Electronic communication and connectivity
- Reporting and population health
- Data Security and Integrity
- Administrative processes and reporting
- Order management
- Result management
- Patient support
- Decision support
- Patient portal
Benefits of cloud-based EMR Software
- Reduced IT Cost
IT resource requirements and costs are significantly reduced as the data storage is maintained off-site. Practices leveraging cloud technology can cut initial capital investments in server space, hardware, and on-site network personnel. Since all software files reside in the cloud, new installations, data migration, and maintenance are generally less costly than server-based systems. Without requiring an IT team to conduct these tasks on-site, users can manage this internally in the cloud with the help of their SaaS provider. Updates are also done automatically in cloud-based software to ensure that practices are running on the most up-to-date version available.
- Accessibility
Another advantage of using a web-based EMR includes the fact that it offers users access to up-to-date clinical data from multiple locations. As this clinical data is stored in a remote location, users can access it from tablets, smartphones, or desktop systems. This ability to access the system outside of the clinic premises allows physicians, staff, and patients to collaborate more effectively in a secure environment and ensures better continuity of care. For multi-site practices with administrative staff or clinicians who are not available at their desk often, this mobility can increase productivity by keeping everyone "in the loop."
- Scalability
Cloud-based software are known for their ability to expand to better serve a growing practice. This deployment method can be the most suitable option for practices that may anticipate scaling up to more staff and service lines as cloud systems can expand with relatively little cost and effort as opposed to an on-premises system. New users and workstations can also be added by simply adding new user accounts to a cloud-based system that can be accessed remotely within a site with an internet connection. On the other hand, an on-premises system must be reconfigured to accommodate other connected devices or staff workstations.
Limitations of cloud-based EMR Software
- Reliability
The main disadvantage of cloud computing in healthcare is the fact that cloud-based systems require an internet connection to access and retrieve data. Therefore, healthcare organizations that do not have access to a stable, high-speed internet connection may perform better using an on-premises software solution.
- Hidden costs
Software with cloud technology generally requires less investment in IT staff and technology infrastructure. As such, they require less budget to operate. However, a cloud-based EMR system that is priced on a subscription basis may require the user to purchase add-ons, additional features, and support.
- Data Security
Data security remains to be the primary concern of practices with cloud-based EHR systems. To ensure confidential patient information is securely stored in the cloud, users should opt for certified cloud-based EHRs that are in compliance with HIPAA. They should prefer cloud storage providers who offer cloud-based EHR systems that comply with its obligations to protect personal health information.
How much does cloud EHR software cost?
The cost of a cloud EHR software varies according to the type of system and the features offered. Mostly, cloud-based health IT solutions are provided on a ‘per user per month’ model; however, some providers charge per record, encounter, or event. A handful of these EHR solutions can also be downloaded for free, but 'free’ often only extends to a certain number of users or features. Although prices vary widely regarding the monthly subscription cost of these products with cloud technology, a recent study report indicates that the five-year TCO for a cloud-based system is $58,000 with upfront costs of $33,000.
Which cloud EHR solutions should you consider?
The following cloud-based EHR vendors represent some of the highly-rated systems available.
- EClinicalWorks
- Practice Fusion
- Athenahealth
- DrChrono
Conclusion
All set for rapid growth, cloud EMR software promises to increase the efficiency of the healthcare industry while decreasing costs. This technology helps practices automate backend operations, make medical record-sharing easier, and facilitates the creation and maintenance of telehealth apps. However, obstacles such as data migration and structure must be overcome to ensure successful implementation. With this being done, a healthcare facility is all set to be revolutionized for comprehensive communications, patient information connectivity, and insightful analytics never seen before.
AllianceTek offers Cloud-based Electronic Medical Records (EMR) Management Software & Applications solutions.
Use as Patient or Healthcare Management Software for easy, secure, accessible, and reliable storage, retrieval, and modification of patient medical records & information.
Eli Health EMR offers HIS software and ophthalmology EMR, Practice Marketing and Online reputaion Management to optimize work flow and revenue growth for hospitals.Best ophthalmology & EMR software privider Trusted by more than 3,000 physicians, ELI Health is one of the leading Healthcare Management software (HIS) providers in India, South East Asia, Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific regions.
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We serve to single/multispecialty hospitals and ophthalmology-centric practices of all sizes.We are the most sought-after Healthcare Practice Marketing company located in Faridabad, India, having long-time clients in India and beyond, offering Netram Ophthalmology EMR which is HL7, HIPAA- and ICD-10 code-compliant and also NABH compliance ready, Netram HIS covering hospital management, billing, patient care management, medical record management and material management, Kirti Healthcare Practice Marketing Services, Kirti Reputation Manager, Kirti Responsive Website Designing and Kirti Patient Mobile App Development.Our HIS/Ophthalmology EMR software Netram provides end-to-end solutions, from appointment scheduling all the way through to discharge and follow-up visits.
It optimizes patient medical record management, streamlines the workflow, enhances care coordination, controls material management and increases your revenue.
It is technically refined, global regulation standards- compliant software for ophthalmology in India and beyond.
The advantages include effective management of an increased patient traffic, cost reduction associated with your practice management, assured patient information integrity, compartmentalized data security and patient information confidentiality.
As Psychiatry practices gained popularity, the need for specialty-specific EMR solutions became evident.
To help you with this, we have compiled a list of top-tier products and narrowed it down to seven best EMR for Psychiatry.
With the right mental health software, therapists, psychiatrists, and other behavioral health professionals can streamline their front-office and patient-facing workflows, enable interoperability, and ensure compliance regulatory standards.
It offers mobile support and can be easily accessed through smartphones, laptops, tablets, and more.Why it’s a good fit for psychiatry practices: It allows providers to check drug-to-allergy and drug-to-drug interactions based on a patient’s current diagnosis or medications.
Its secure patient portal allows patients to have a session with their provider, book their appointments, and track treatment journeys.
In addition to this, patients can receive and view their billing statements electronically.Why it’s a good fit for psychiatry practices: The primary focus of Valant is behavioral health, so users don’t have to navigate through documentation templates and billing codes made for other specialties.
