Top EHR Solutions for Streamlining Healthcare Management
Apr 12, 2024
Electronic health record (EHR) software revolutionizes how hospitals and clinics handle patient records, automating and digitizing data management, sharing, and storage. It streamlines tasks like billing and patient information management securely and efficiently.
However, selecting the appropriate EHR software can be complex for many practices, given the diverse functionalities of systems and the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare technology. Additionally, each EHR software comes with its own set of features, pricing structures, and implementation requirements.
So, what do you look for in an effective EHR solution? The following should be your top priorities:
EHR Solutions: Features
Intuitive User Interface
The Medscape Physician Compensation Report for 2023 reveals that physicians dedicate, on average, 15.5 hours each week to administrative and paperwork tasks. This highlights physicians' challenges with paperwork and administrative duties across varied medical specialties.
An intuitive user interface (UI) ensures healthcare providers can navigate the EHR system efficiently. You want an application that reduces the time spent on administrative tasks to focus more on patient care. As such, the UI should be user-friendly, with easy-to-use menus, customizable dashboards, and minimal clicks to perform tasks.
Mobile Accessibility
In today's fast-paced world, healthcare providers need the flexibility to access patient records and other critical information on the go. EHR solutions offering mobile accessibility through apps or web-based interfaces enable providers to make timely decisions and improve patient interactions.
Comprehensive Reporting Tools
Data-driven decision-making is pivotal in healthcare. EHR solutions equipped with comprehensive reporting tools allow for the analysis of patient data, helping providers identify trends and manage population health.
While not a stand-alone EHR, Fluent Health introduces a practical and user-friendly solution to reporting. We developed our voice recognition software for the healthcare industry. Our innovation simplifies healthcare providers' transcription workflow, enhancing patient records' accuracy and timeliness.
Here's the process in detail:
Upon logging into their user account, physicians can begin a new patient report by selecting the "new visit" option. This leads them to the recording interface, where the "Record" button captures the visit's audio. The physician can then continue with the patient consultation as usual. To conclude the recording, simply click the checkmark icon, bringing up the automatically generated consultation note.
With generative AI, Fluent Health promises a drastic decrease in the need for manual data input, freeing up more time for direct patient care.
Fluent's pricing structure is designed to accommodate practices of varying sizes, with tiers including:
Starter package at CAD 49 per month for part-time doctors, offering 100 notes per month
Standard package at CAD 149 per month for full-time doctors, providing unlimited notes and extended support
An Enterprise option with custom pricing is also available
We also offer a free trial offering 25 notes per month for those interested in exploring the system's capabilities.
Telehealth Support
The rise of telehealth has been one of the most significant trends in healthcare, further accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, telemedicine has been widely accepted due to its convenience. EHR solutions that integrate telehealth functionalities help healthcare providers offer remote care services, expanding their reach and ensuring continuous patient care.
Integration Capabilities
Integrating with other systems and software is a must-have for any EHR system. Integration capabilities ensure patient data flows seamlessly between departments and external systems. You should look for an EHR system that allows you to include laboratory information systems (LIS) and billing software to achieve a unified healthcare ecosystem.
Patient Portals
Patient portals empower patients by giving them direct access to their medical data, including test results and medication lists. This transparency fosters a more collaborative patient-provider relationship and encourages patient engagement in their care. Such a feature is also great for empowering your patients to have a more proactive approach to their healthcare.
Another efficient way to do this is by incorporating chat functionality. With it, patients can ask questions and get answers in real time.
Top EHR Solutions
Here are 4 of the top Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems:
Cerner
Cerner's cloud-based EHR system is renowned for its robust capabilities and adaptability, catering to the complex demands of the healthcare industry. It offers unparalleled interoperability with various healthcare systems, detailed charting capabilities, and extensive customization options to fit the specific needs of different medical practices.
Among its standout features, Cerner includes advanced clinical documentation tools, which streamline the charting process.
Pricing: The base subscription starts at $25 per user/month. The Ambulatory EMR, a more comprehensive solution, starts at $250 monthly.
Free Trial: No free trial
AthenaHealth
Athenahealth's EHR system stands out for its user-friendly workflows and ability to provide real-time insights, significantly enhancing clinical efficiency and care coordination. As part of the CommonWell Health Alliance, it simplifies the sharing of patient records across physicians and specialists.
Integrating its mobile app with the EHR system ensures healthcare providers can update patient records and make crucial decisions from anywhere. Athenahealth merges electronic health records with practice management, streamlining administrative tasks and patient care coordination.
The platform's strong focus on interoperability and network connectivity further facilitates seamless information sharing and collaboration among healthcare providers.
Pricing: Starts at $140 per user/month
Free Trial: No free trial
Epic Systems
Epic's cloud-based EHR solution caters to many healthcare providers, emphasizing patient interaction and support for remote healthcare services. This EHR system, compatible with Android and iOS platforms, offers extensive telehealth functionalities, from video consultations and post-operative check-ins to continuous patient monitoring.
Pricing: $1200 to $500,000, depending on inclusions
Free Trial: Available
Meditech
Meditech redefines the possibilities for healthcare teams, offering solutions meticulously designed to meet their specific needs. Through its cloud-based EHR software, Meditech fosters connected medical communities, ensuring a seamless continuum of care by enabling interoperable data exchange across various settings and organizations.
At the heart of Meditech's offering is data enrichment, transforming clinical decision-making from the outset. By incorporating time-saving automation and reducing the cognitive load on healthcare professionals through AI applications integrated into the Expanse platform.
Pricing: Pricing available upon request
Free Trial: No free trial
Best Practices for Implementation
Staff Training: The medical system relied extensively on manual data capture and management. However, such manual systems are prone to error, impacting decision-making. Successful EHR implementation begins with comprehensive staff training. Ensuring that all users are comfortable and proficient with the new system is essential for minimizing disruptions to clinical workflows.
Implement Data Migration Strategies: When implementing EHR systems in your practice, you're most likely going to do data migration. What you want to avoid is losing data during the migration process. That's why transitioning from paper-based records or an older EHR system to a new solution requires a well-planned data migration strategy. Make sure to have a system in place to maintain data accuracy and integrity. Your goal is to make patient histories, previous treatments, and other critical information readily available in the new system.
Do Continuous Evaluation: Implementing an EHR system is not a one-time event but an ongoing process. Continuous evaluation of the system's performance, user satisfaction, and clinical outcomes is vital for identifying areas for improvement. It's also critical to ensure the EHR continues to meet the evolving healthcare practice needs.
Choose the Right EHR Solution: Successful EHR solutions hinge on a detailed understanding of your practice's needs, underscoring the importance of a tailored digital health record management approach. Recognizing the unique demands of your clinical workflow, patient demographic, and administrative requirements is the first step toward selecting an EHR system that optimizes healthcare delivery and aligns with your practice's goals.
Key Takeaways
Choosing the right EHR solution for 2024 involves carefully examining your healthcare practice's specific needs. The market offers several top-tier EHR solutions, each with its unique strengths:
Fluent Health is an AI scribe that works with EHR systems to improve note-taking and reporting. Its user-focused design and generative AI make it suitable for practices of all sizes looking for innovative ways to enhance patient engagement and reduce charting time.
Cerner offers an ideal solution for medium to large healthcare organizations seeking robust data exchange capabilities across diverse healthcare systems.
AthenaHealth, leveraging cloud technology for real-time accessibility and streamlined operations, is a top choice for small—to medium-sized practices prioritizing flexibility, scalability, and ease of use in healthcare delivery.
Epic Systems is the go-to choice for large healthcare organizations and academic medical centers. Its extensive functionalities and integration capabilities make it a powerhouse for complex, multispecialty institutions requiring a high level of customization and comprehensive data management.
Meditech serves a broad spectrum of healthcare providers but is especially beneficial for medium-sized hospitals and healthcare systems that value integrated solutions and a comprehensive approach to patient care.
Selecting and implementing the right EHR solution is a critical decision that can significantly impact clinical operations, patient care, and organizational efficiency. Prioritizing key features when choosing a system that aligns with their operational needs and strategic goals.