If your organization is contemplating going completely paperless or has decided to switch to a new and better EMR software system then you can’t waste any time by looking into EMR software vendor options that don’t offer useful tools and functionalities.
To narrow down your selection process and help you make the best decision we have outlined the 5 features that are found in a top-ranked Electronic Medical Records software solution. A good EMR software solution can help to streamline daily administrative, financial, and clinical workflows by automating tedious processes. A good EMR software system gives the benefits of cost and time savings. Clinicians are able to chart faster and ultimately patient safety and patient outcomes enhance generously.
The 5 Necessary Tools you should be looking for in your EMR Software
- Advanced Protection and Security – It is critical that the EMR software system vendor offers 24/7 security of sensitive patient data that will be accessed and shared. Security concerns are grave and you should make sure the software system is HIPAA Compliant for Meaningful Use. There should also be regular backups and updates to maintain the smooth running of the software. If the potential EMR software doesn’t offer HIPAA Compliance then rule it out completely, as you cannot compromise on the protection of information.
- E-Prescribing (e-Rx) – This tool helps to electronically print and transmit prescriptions in a breeze. It also alerts the clinician on potential drug allergies by sending automatic alerts and notifications which greatly improves patient safety. The EMR Software system offers pharmacy integrations with the major pharmacies. You should also make sure that the software system offers two-way communication with pharmacies.
- Patient Portal Platform – A patient portal is a robust platform that helps patients communicate with their healthcare provider via quick two-way messaging. It also has the facility of online payments and helpful resource material available for patients. Mostly a good patient portal platform is HIPAA Compliant and also has the feature of online scheduling. The system also sends automatic reminders in the form of emails and messages to help counter the problem of missed appointments.
- Charting Tools – A robust EMR software system offers charting tools that help clinicians to chart faster. Features of customizable templates and voice recognition provide a window of opportunity to save time, realize practice efficiencies, and reduce charting errors. Cloud-based EMR Software solutions provide Android and iOS apps that help the physician to chart and complete documentation on the go.
- Workflow – Every medical practice has a different set of procedures. If the EMR software system knows your operational workflow then it saves training time for new staff members. A good EMR software product may offer customized workflows to maintain track of everyone in the practice. For example, the user can set reminders for phone calls to patients.
Final Takeaway
Choosing the right EMR software system can be beneficial for your medical practice. You should focus on the following 5 features to make sure you get the most out of your software system. It’s a big investment so making the right decision is crucial for your practice.
