Choosing the best electronic health record system (EHR) isn’t an easy decision. Patient records are where most doctors spend their time; it’s the data center for other healthcare professionals and systems. Unlike other systems, EHRs cannot be changed easily once in place. The system requires substantial investment, and the staff must receive training. That said, you must learn as much as possible about the EHR you want to use before choosing it. Here are some considerations that can help you choose the right EHR system.
1. Interoperability
An EHR doesn’t operate in a vacuum. You’ll need to integrate it with other internal and external systems, including third-party applications. EHR integrations will allow you to receive and pass data seamlessly to other companies or individuals. For this reason, you have to choose a system that can integrate with other systems. EHR interoperability is critical in matters of RCM (revenue cycle management). With this system, your billings will be streamlined, and there will be no human errors. You can choose an application with multiple features if you are a large company. Some things to look out for are whether the system can support analytics, CDI, speech recognition, patient management (online check-ins, appointments, registration, etc.), administrative tools, and payment support.
2. Price
EHR vendors all charge differently. Price is one thing that can help you determine whether you’re dealing with a legit vendor. Most online scammers charge cheaply to make quick money. So, don’t rush to sign on to applications that demand below market rates. Companies that charge highly typically offer more features and are reliable. And, as stated above, you may not need all the features offered. The bottom line is to choose a company that charges fairly and offers the features you need. Also, consider the packages that come at different prices. You never know if you’ll require an upgrade in the future!
3. Level of Support
A vendor’s level of support is crucial for your business’ success. Ask them a few questions to see how they respond. Find out whether they offer ongoing support after installing the system. What sets them apart from the competition? You can even go online and read reviews posted by current and previous clients of the company. These reviews will give you a clear view of what the company can offer and whether they are what they claim to be.
4. Hosting Environment
There are two options when it comes to hosting an EHR system. You can choose a cloud server or a physical server. Each type of service has its pros and cons. You need to weigh all of them before settling on a hosting environment. Many companies prefer cloud hosting because it’s more secure and safe. A cloud-based system is easier to install and maintain and less expensive.
5. Ease-of-Use
A more cumbersome, non-intuitive, and congested screen will overwhelm your in-house team and make them unproductive. They will spend many hours on simple tasks like data entry. That’s why you need to choose an application that’s easy to use. An EHR system will save everyone time by giving them access to accurate, legible information at a glance.
The Takeaway
The EHR system you put in place will determine the success or failure of your business. That’s why you shouldn’t rush when choosing a vendor. Take your time to compare different vendors in light of the factors discussed above. This will help you make an informed decision and select the best EHR system for your healthcare facility. And of course, you can’t go wrong with word of mouth recommendations. If you know someone that’s had a very enjoyable experience with a specific EHR software, it’s worth looking into.