In the healthcare industry, Electronic Medical Record (EMR) is becoming increasingly crucial for efficiently managing patient records and delivering healthcare services. With new technologies like Big Data and predictive analytics, medical facilities have multiple options for EMR software development. Healthcare decision-makers need to understand the value of each feature and its impact on the EMR tools to make the best decision for their organization.
Along with EHR integration, EMR plays a vital role in delivering high-quality patient care; thus, more clinics focus on adopting proper health data management software. But what features of patient requirements software make such software excellent and worthy of investment? This article offers a list of 9 must-have features of EMR systems you must consider when approaching an EMR software development project.
Why Is EMR Software Development Important for Healthcare Organizations?
The global EHR market is expected to reach $47.6 billion by 2029, compared to $29 billion in 2021 at a CAGR of 7.30%. Thus, electronic health records are firmly established in the healthcare landscape and are vital to staying ahead of the curve. To remain competitive, medical institutions must know the latest trends and innovations in EHR and EMR technology.
Telehealth solutions have become increasingly popular due to the public health crisis caused by COVID-19. EHR is vital for the proper functioning of telehealth solutions, meaning their use will continue rising as more people become comfortable with digital solutions. Meanwhile, EMR systems’ support makes it easier for the clinical staff to access patient data to provide adequate care. Let us see what features you need to consider approaching EMR software development.
Feature 1: Ease of Use
The first must-have feature of EMR systems is the ease of use. The software should be easy to understand, use and navigate so that it does not take too much time to master. The system should be intuitive, and the interface should be user-friendly. Users should be able to quickly and easily access patient records, enter information, and review data with minimal effort. EMR software development experts must consider the needs of the clinical staff, so you should partner with a vendor who has experience working with similar systems.
Feature 2: Security and Compliance
Security is paramount for EMR system support of patient data safety. EMR software must provide a robust environment for storing and accessing patient data, especially regarding the use of the cloud in patient data management. The primary safety patient requirements for such software are to encrypt information and provide access control, authentication, and audit trails to ensure the data is always secure.
HIPAA compliance is critical in EMRs because it helps protect the confidentiality of patient information by keeping the clinics accountable for possible privacy violations. The HIPAA Privacy Rule and Security Rule require healthcare organizations to take specific steps to ensure that patient records remain private and safe. That includes appropriately training staff on how to use and secure the EMR. Failure to comply with the HIPAA rules may result in severe fines for the clinic and even jail sentences for individual healthcare practitioners.
Feature 3: Customization
EMR must meet the specific needs of the organization. That involves customizing the user interface, adding and removing specific features, and providing custom security protocols to the software. Customization also includes the ability to change user roles and access levels and the ability to configure the system to fit the organization’s workflow. Patient requirements for software may also vary, so that they may have some limited customization features.
Feature 4: Automation
Automation is a powerful enabler across many industries, and healthcare is no exception. The healthcare automation market will grow up to $91 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 10%. The software should be able to automate as many tasks as possible, such as patient reminders, appointment scheduling, and data entry.
Leveraging the capabilities of AI and Machine Learning-powered automation will help reduce the time and effort needed to manage patient data. And you can allocate this time to more pressing tasks. EMR systems should include automation features to reduce the amount of manual data entry and streamline health data management.
Feature 5: Integration
EMR software should be able to integrate with other systems and departments, such as laboratory systems, billing tools, and healthcare information systems. Integration with other clinical technologies would simplify the departments’ cooperation and reduce the chance of human error or miscommunication. That will enable healthcare organizations to streamline workflows and provide better patient care.
Feature 6: Reporting
Reporting is yet another vital feature of the EMR software as it increases the quality of data collected and utilized by the system. The software must generate reports on patient data, such as patient demographics, treatments, diagnoses, and more. Reporting will help healthcare organizations to track patient progress and make informed decisions. EMR should also include reporting capabilities to generate patient-specific reports as well as reports of general trends.
Having aggregated enough data, you may utilize Big Data and analytics to generate valuable insights and predictions.
Feature 7: Interoperability
Interoperability entails the EMR system’s capability to interact with other software and exchange meaningful data. That includes anything, from integrating third-party apps to connecting various medical devices, allowing for sharing patient information within and outside medical facilities without interruption.
But achieving interoperability can be a challenge to clinics that need more tech expertise for the proper EMR implementation. That may lead to the loss of patient data or the acquisition of incorrect information, thus obstructing clinical staff from obtaining the right picture of a patient’s condition.
Feature 8: Billing
EMR applications’ billing feature is essential for various reasons. It allows healthcare providers to track accurately and invoice patients for delivered services. Also, the billing feature helps to manage patient accounts so all payments are up-to-date and any necessary follow-up billing is completed on time. Finally, the billing feature enables you to ensure that insurance companies are billed correctly and that all required paperwork is sent out promptly. That helps prevent costly medical billing delays, leading to denied claims and increased administrative costs.
Feature 9: Scalability
Any software changes and expands with time. Your clinic may process more patients in the future, so you may operate with more staff – all of that must be considered. The software should be able to expand as the organization grows. EMR software should be able to scale to meet the needs of a growing organization or practice.
Additionally, the software may need to adapt to the changing regulations. For instance, HIPAA regulations have loosened up during the pandemic, but as the world returns to normal, the regulations tighten up again. It means that your system must be prepared for such changes.
Develop a Feature-Rich EMR System with a Reliable Partner
When developing EMR software for healthcare, it is essential to consider all of the features and benefits they provide. With the right tool, clinics can streamline their workflows, optimize the performance of most departments, reduce excessive manual labor, and provide better patient care. To ensure the best choice is made, you should cooperate with an experienced team of healthcare software developers. SPsoft is a reliable partner that can help you develop an efficient EHR system enriched by custom features, including but not limited to those on our list.
