5 Key Features to Look for in a Customizable EHR System

What is a EHR System?

An Electronic Health Record (EHR) system is a digital platform that allows healthcare practitioners to store, manage, and retrieve patient medical data. It replaces traditional paper-based records with a centralized, electronic system that handles patient data more efficiently and accurately. EHR systems are intended to improve healthcare delivery by delivering real-time, patient-centered records that are immediately and securely accessible to authorized users.

At its core, an EHR system stores a wide range of health-related information about a person. This may include a patient’s medical history, diagnosis, prescriptions, treatment plans, immunization records, allergies, radiological pictures, and lab test results. By having this information stored in a single digital repository, EHRs make it easier for healthcare providers to coordinate care, ensuring that the right information is available to the right person at the right time.

5 Key Features to Look for in a Customizable EHR System

EHR systems are designed to share information across various healthcare settings, such as clinics, hospitals, and specialists’ offices. This means that if a patient moves or sees a new healthcare provider, their records can be easily accessed without the need to manually transfer paperwork. This capability not only improves continuity of care but also reduces the likelihood of medical errors, such as incorrect medications or duplicated tests.

EHR systems improve data accuracy as well as access to patient information. Because everything is inputted digitally, there is a lower risk of errors such as illegible handwriting or lost documents, which are common with paper records. Many EHR systems incorporate decision support tools and automatic reminders to help doctors and healthcare personnel diagnose and treat patients correctly. An EHR system, for example, can automatically alert potential drug interactions when a new medication is prescribed that may conflict with a patient’s previous prescriptions.

Advantages Of EHR Systems

EHR systems also contribute to more personalized patient care. With easy access to a comprehensive set of data, healthcare providers can make better-informed decisions tailored to the individual needs of each patient. Additionally, EHRs often come equipped with patient portals, which allow patients to access parts of their health records, schedule appointments, request prescription refills, and communicate with their healthcare providers. This level of transparency not only empowers patients to take more control over their health but also fosters better communication between patients and their care teams.

The advantages of EHR systems go beyond individual patient care. On a bigger scale, the usage of EHRs can boost the overall efficiency of the healthcare system. Data from EHRs can be gathered and used for medical research, public health reporting, and healthcare policy formulation. Healthcare businesses may discover trends, track illness outbreaks, and even forecast future healthcare needs by examining patient data patterns.

Despite these benefits, implementing EHR systems is not without hurdles. Adoption constraints may include high upfront expenditures, data security concerns, and a learning curve for healthcare workers. However, as technology advances, EHR systems become more secure, user-friendly, and connected with other healthcare technologies, making them an essential tool in modern healthcare.

Now, let’s dive into 5 key features to look for in a customizable EHR system you need to know in 2024:

With rapid advancements in medical technologies and ever-evolving regulatory requirements, a flexible and robust Electronic Health Record (EHR) system helps healthcare organizations stay ahead of the curve.

Selecting the right features in your EHR system is crucial for enhancing efficiency and preparing for future challenges. Whether any healthcare analytics companies or you’re integrating new data analytics tools or adapting to mobile health trends, choosing an adaptable system means your practice won’t get left behind as technology evolves.

If you’re not yet sure which features to focus on, we put together a list of must-haves that will ensure your customizable EHR system remains efficient and future-proof. Read until the end to identify the features that matter for your organization.

1. Specialty-Specific Templates

Different medical fields have unique workflows and documentation needs. For instance, a cardiologist and a pediatrician have distinct data entry requirements, patient interactions, and treatment protocols. 

Customizable EHRs with specialty templates streamline these processes, allowing practitioners to focus on patient care rather than navigating irrelevant or cumbersome interfaces. A flexible EHR system provides tailored forms that fit your practice and help reduce errors, save time on data entry, and enhance overall efficiency.

Customizable templates also make it easier for multi-specialty clinics to work with an EHR system. When each doctor has the freedom to use templates designed for their specialty, record-keeping and charting become a breeze.

2. Mobile Access

A solution that offers mobile access, like dr chrono ehr, allows doctors to review patient records, update notes, and make critical decisions from anywhere, whether at the hospital bedside or on the go. Mobility access allows a doctor conducting home visits to pull up a patient’s history instantly. This way, they have all the necessary information to make a decision on the spot.

Among other notable features, Drchrono EHR also has a telemedicine feature. This allows doctors to conduct virtual consultations with full access to medical records, offering precise care no matter where patients are.

While it may sound a bit too tech-oriented for some doctors, many health professionals find that technology is very helpful. A well-designed EHR system lets you maximize your time by cutting down on data mishandling and late in-person patients.

3. Electronic Prior Authorization Tools

Electronic prior authorization (ePA) tools streamline the often tedious process of getting insurance approvals for treatments and medications. Traditionally, obtaining prior authorizations involves extensive paperwork and phone calls, leading to delays in patient care.

ePA tools automate this workflow by integrating directly with EHR systems. They send authorization requests electronically, reducing manual input errors and speeding up response times from insurers. This automation means healthcare providers spend less time on administrative tasks and more time focusing on patients.

Incorporating ePA tools into your customizable EHR system boosts productivity and ensures timely care delivery, which improves patient satisfaction.

4. Interoperability with Other Systems

Your EHR system cannot be a standalone entity. You need it to communicate with existing systems that are already doing a great job within your organization. Effective interoperability ensures that data flows smoothly between different entities, eliminating silos and enhancing patient care coordination.

For this, your EHR must implement the HL7 FHIR standard (Health Level Seven Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) that allows the exchange of clinical data between systems and platforms.

Consider a hospital where lab results must be manually entered into the EHR system. Without proper interoperability, this process is slow and prone to errors. By adopting an EHR that supports the HL7 FHIR standard, these results can be automatically imported into patient records as soon as they’re available from the lab’s system. This speeds up diagnosis times and reduces administrative burdens.

5. Robust Security Measures

Health information is sensitive and highly targeted by ill-intended actors. Therefore, your EHR system needs robust security measures designed to protect patient data and maintain trust.

Key security features include advanced encryption methods and stringent user authentication protocols. Encryption ensures that data remains unreadable to unauthorized users, whether it’s stored or transmitted. User authentication, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), adds an extra layer of defense by verifying identities before granting access.

Additionally, compliance with regulations like HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) is crucial. HIPAA sets the standard for protecting sensitive patient information, requiring healthcare providers to implement strong safeguards. Experts recommend regular risk assessments and updated training programs to ensure ongoing compliance.

Wrap Up

As you can see, choosing the right EHR system is a game-changer. The features we mentioned above, like specialty-specific templates, mobile access, electronic prior authorization tools, interoperability, and robust security measures, are the bare minimum needed to ensure efficiency and future-proof your practice. 

These elements align with your organizational goals by enhancing workflow, boosting productivity, and securing sensitive data. So, don’t settle for off-the-shelf solutions. Go for a customizable EHR that grows with you!