5 Key Features to Look for in a Customizable EHR System

What is a EHR System?

A customizable EHR (Electronic Health Record) 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. Customizable EHR systems are intended to improve healthcare delivery by delivering real-time, patient-centered care records that are immediately and securely accessible to authorized users.

5 Key Features to Look for in a Customizable EHR System

Facts and Figures About EHR Implementation

According to a report by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), approximately 86% of office-based physicians were using EHR software as of 2021, reflecting the growing trend towards digital health records in healthcare. Source: ONC

At its core, a customizable 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, customizable 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.

Customizable EHR systems also 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. According to a 2020 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, hospitals that implemented EHRs reduced medication errors by 30% or more, showcasing their effectiveness in improving patient safety. Source: JAMA

Advantages Of EHR Systems

Customizable EHR systems 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, customizable EHRs often come equipped with patient engagement tools, 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 customizable EHR systems go beyond individual patient care. On a larger scale, the usage of EHRs can boost the overall efficiency of the healthcare solution. Data from customizable EHRs can be gathered and used for medical research, public health reporting, and healthcare policy formulation. According to a report from the American Hospital Association, hospitals leveraging EHRs effectively can contribute to an estimated reduction of $37 billion in healthcare spending annually. Source: AHA

Despite these benefits, implementing customizable 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, customizable EHR systems become more secure, user-friendly, and connected with other health information systems, making them an essential tool in modern healthcare.

Popular Customizable EHR Systems and Their Unique Features

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare technology, several customizable EHR systems have emerged as leaders, distinguishing themselves from traditional EHR solutions. These systems not only offer the fundamental features of standard EHRs but also provide enhanced flexibility, specialized functionalities, and seamless electronic health record integration capabilities tailored to meet the diverse needs of healthcare providers.

1. Epic Systems

Epic is one of the most widely recognized names in the realm of customizable EHR solutions. Its platform is designed to cater to large hospitals and healthcare organizations, offering a comprehensive suite of modules that address various aspects of patient care. What sets Epic apart from standard EHR systems is its extensive customization options, allowing organizations to tailor workflows, dashboards, and reporting features to their specific needs. Additionally, Epic excels in interoperability, enabling seamless data sharing with other healthcare systems, which enhances care coordination across diverse settings.

2. Cerner

Cerner is another prominent player in the customizable EHR market, known for its user-friendly interface and robust analytics capabilities. Unlike traditional EHR systems that may offer limited reporting and decision-support tools, Cerner provides advanced analytics that help healthcare organizations derive actionable insights from their data. Its customizable clinical documentation templates and care pathways enable providers to tailor the system to their specific practice needs, enhancing efficiency and clinical outcomes.

3. Allscripts

Allscripts focuses on delivering interoperability and population health management through its customizable EHR system. What sets Allscripts apart is its commitment to connecting healthcare providers with a network of data-sharing partners, facilitating better decision-making and care coordination. Additionally, its open architecture allows for extensive customization, including the integration of third-party applications that can enhance functionality and improve patient engagement.

4. Athenahealth

Athenahealth is known for its cloud-based EHR solution, which emphasizes flexibility, mobility, and ease of use. Unlike conventional EHR systems that may require significant hardware investments, Athenahealth operates entirely in the cloud, making it accessible from anywhere. Its customizable EHR model allows practices to adapt the system to fit their workflows, including integrated billing and insurance verification tools that streamline administrative tasks and enhance revenue cycle management.

5. eClinicalWorks

eClinicalWorks offers a customizable EHR system that prioritizes patient engagement and population health management. A distinguishing feature of eClinicalWorks is its robust patient portal, which empowers patients to participate actively in their care. This system also integrates telehealth functionalities, enabling providers to seamlessly conduct virtual visits, which is a vital feature in today’s healthcare landscape. Compared to standard EHR systems, eClinicalWorks’s focus on patient-centered care and analytics sets it apart.

Key Features:

Now, let’s dive into 5 key features to look for in a customizable EHR system you need to know in 2025:

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

Selecting the right features in your customizable EHR system is crucial for enhancing efficiency and preparing for future challenges. Whether integrating new healthcare analytics tools from top healthcare analytics companies 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 EHR templates streamline these processes, allowing practitioners to focus on patient care rather than navigating irrelevant or cumbersome interfaces. A flexible customizable EHR system provides tailored forms that fit your practice and help reduce errors, save time on data entry, and enhance overall efficiency.

Customizable EHR 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 allows doctors to review patient records, update notes, and make critical decisions from anywhere, whether at the hospital bedside or on the go. Mobile access enables 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 customizable 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 customizable 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 customizable 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 customizable 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 customizable 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 customizable 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 checklist 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.

Conclusion

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

Furthermore, leveraging personal health record software enables patients to manage their health data proactively, which complements the capabilities of

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. As the industry shifts towards outsourcing in healthcare and exploring tech innovations in healthcare, having a flexible, robust EHR system will be vital for your organization’s success. Moreover, integrating custom healthcare software for specific needs can further streamline operations and improve patient care.

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