Cloud-based EMR software
Are you wondering about the many benefits of cloud-based EMR software? In fact, that‘s the impact of the evolution of healthcare in time. Nowadays, all operations happen online and revolve around technology and the digital world. Many merits prompt this shift. Thus, using the digital world and integrated technology in practices and hospitals make workflows efficient and seamless. Namely, the Covid-19 situation changed all our lives. Also, it boosted the integration of technological achievements inside healthcare. One of the techniques of digitization is cloud-based EMRs. They are convenient the most, and they are excellent ways to store patient data.
What are EMRs?
To learn about the many benefits of cloud-based EMR software, let’s start introducing EMRs. Initially, what is an EMR? electronic health record includes what is in a paper chart. For example, diagnoses, allergies, medications, a patient’s history, and vaccinations. Usually, while replacing the normal paper chart, they do not migrate outside the practice.
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What are cloud-based EMRs?
Understanding the many benefits of cloud-based EMR software requires learning about its nature. First off, cloud-based EMRs are electronic medical charts based on the web. Secondly, they manage and contain the clinical information you can find in a normal EMR yet more. Thirdly, with cloud-based EMRs, you can track demographics, store patient records online. Also, you can send, share or print prescriptions, have a feature for SOAP notes templates, and enable lab and device integration. Shortly, you can use online medical records as a replacement for EMR systems only operatable on your practice’s premises. With online EMRs, you can access them from your house or another practice even. All you need to have is an internet browser instead of having locally installed software.
What are the advantages of online EMRs?
The many benefits of cloud-based EMR software include the following:
- Easy implementation: online-based EMRs don’t need local hardware or software installation sourcing. Easily, you can implement quickly these types which reduces interruptions in cash flows. Additionally, you’ll get faster returns on investments in comparison to the normal systems.
- Huge savings: normally, to install an electronic medical record you have to think about costs. Not to mention licensing fees, maintenance, and costs. This is not the case with cloud-based software. All you need is a small subscription fee every month or bi-annual basis.
- Simple usage: an EMR interface looks like a web page. So, you can easily navigate and learn or even rely on years of intuition using the internet. No need whatsoever for any training sessions which reduces your time and increases your costs. Then, expect a smooth transition.
- Less IT burden: with these EMRs, you place data in a distant centralized area. Ultimately, in-house IT ensure that everything runs according to plan. So, they take care of maintenance, routine back-ups, and software updates.
- Distant access: from beyond the clinic, you can access online EMRs. Especially, if you work as a physician on-call, you’ll find this beneficial.
- Better security: a lot of doctors are skeptical about these records because they see them as a cybersecurity danger. But this is nothing when you compare it to the threat paper records imply. In fact, you can damage these easily or misplace them by mistake.
What is the difference between cloud-based and web-based EMRs?
The differences between the two impact your experience hugely, here’s how:
- With web-based, you need an application: web-based applications are different from browser-based EMRs. The biggest difference is inaccessibility. Naturally, you need an application on every workstation to access web-based EMRs.
- Cloud-based EMRs have true remote accessibility. Yet, you don’t need any application for this. Fortunately, all you need is access to the internet!
- You need a VPN with web-based software: this causes vulnerability in downtime and reliability.
- No need for VPNs with cloud-based systems.
What are the obstacles cloud-based should overcome?
Despite the many benefits, some obstacles need to be overcome. We can namely mention:
- Interoperability: Centralized information and streamlined communications are cloud-based benefits. Yet this is not achievable without software integration and interoperability.
- Data migration: whenever a new EMR system is here, all hospitals should migrate to the new system. This leads to a lot of tasks because of the complexity and sheer size of the data.
- Value-based data: recently, 80% of data in healthcare is unstructured. You’ll find it hard to cut all the unwanted traffic of information.
All in all, cloud-based EMR’s destiny is growth. Improvement and development are a must in information systems. Of course, we can’t forget the many benefits of this one-of-a-kind technology. Undoubtedly, this includes data accessibility, interoperability, and reduced costs. But some obstacles like data migration and structure are to consider to achieve a successful implementation.
Would you like to learn more about cloud-based EMRs? Contact Ambula Healthcare team: (818) 308-4108. And now what are ASC EMR requirements?
About the Author: Khalil
