A Detailed 2023 Guide to Mobile EHR Applications for Healthcare Developers

Contents

As it stands, health app development, specifically mobile health application development, has witnessed an exponential rise in the past two years. Even though EHR solutions were steadily growing in demand before, the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed this demand to an all-time high. All the best healthcare app developers have busied themselves in applying advanced technologies toward EHR systems in healthcare.     

The present times have seen the rise of the virtual healthcare scenario. EHR systems in healthcare have, consequently, risen to the occasion. Health access is limited in many areas, especially remote locations and villages. EMR healthcare offers patients the convenience of reaching out to physicians anytime from anywhere. Elderly patients and chronic needs can also benefit from virtual healthcare EMR systems. They can have virtual consultations through video calls or chatbots. Medical EMR systems and applications provide health access to patients from the comfort of their homes.     

Almost every electronic health records system, in the current scenario, is geared with coherence, strict security systems, health offerings, remote patient monitoring systems, and an automated EHR solution. Overall, existing electronic health record applications deal with the current requirement of virtual access to care, easier systems, and patient engagement systems.    

As said, EHR systems have revolutionized complete patient records management. And even ensures that physicians, patients, and clinical staff can conveniently access and utilize these records for their clinical work. However, HIT and healthcare leaders aimed to make EHR more accessible in the last few years. And the best way was to bring it to the fingertips of patients and clinical staff. That’s how the mobile EHR app became the next major development. This development in healthcare technology is still new, and several care providers and patients are already favouring this.    

2. Why We Need Mobile EHR Apps?

You will learn about the importance of mobile EHR apps. We have explained how these apps can simplify the lives of patients. We have also added a case study highlighting OSP’s experience in building Mobile EHR apps.

Although EHR online portals are necessary for healthcare organizations, mobile apps make medical information more accessible. That means, in case the provider or patient requires specific information and can’t access the online portal/software, the mobile EHR app comes in handy. Like other mobile healthcare apps, EHR applications increase their usability among providers and patients.    

Today, almost every individual owns a smartphone and relies greatly on it for work, entertainment, and whatnot. Even healthcare leaders understand how smartphones play a major role in our everyday lives. And in healthcare, apps related to caregiving, medications, and records maintenance are becoming extremely popular. So, the healthcare technologists proposed a mobile EHR app keeping in mind the need for medical records and easy access.    

Further, as an example of an EHR healthcare application, a US-based company approached OSP to build a modern-age remote patient monitoring product, including EMR and EHR for practice management. They wanted to create virtual health apps that would allow virtual connectedness between patients and their caregivers.     

With our expertise as a healthcare solutions company, we offered the following solutions through integrated healthcare solutions:     

3. What are Mobile EHR Applications?

In this section, you will learn the use of mobile EHR apps, what are they, and how they can make a difference. We have also provided examples for your better understanding.

EHR software has already created its spot in healthcare organizations. However, the demand for more convenience and portability of healthcare software has led to mobile applications. Today caregivers prefer mobile apps, as it’s handy and easy to use. Providers favor mobile EHR applications, as it helps doctors and patients access their critical medical records whenever they want. Moreover, these mobile EHR apps handle various tasks, from managing emergency care to giving prescriptions.    

Take, for example, a doctor who is stuck at some other work and urgently requires information about one of their patients. The doctor can’t go to its clinic or hospital to get that information. So, all he can do is wait. But if he had EHR in his smartphone, he could easily tend to this task. Even if the doctor is at his office, the mobile EHR app comes in handy, and the doctor doesn’t need to refer to his system for the information.    

Mobile EHR apps are superbly portable, and these apps can generate, edit and amend health records without any hassles. Besides, providers can even share accurate PHI in a complex health environment. It facilitates better care coordination and more safety and enables healthcare providers to handle critical cases.    

Like other healthcare apps, EHR applications offer caregivers increased timeliness and accuracy of documentation. So, doctors, patients, and clinical staff get a secure mobile platform to share significant patient information to make proper decisions regarding the quality of service and the treatment plan. Besides, mobile EHR apps also help physicians decrease their time spent on their workstations, as everything document is at their fingertips.     

Even though there may not be any distinctly new features predicted for the upcoming year, there are bound to be significant developments in mobile EHR applications. As digital medical records management continue to be used in healthcare automation, hospital EMR systems will look toward cross-platform mobile EHR applications. Medical app development companies are also predicted to develop MVPs of EMR/ EHR systems for an overall purview of electronic health records software solutions.   

So, the current EHR vendors are more focused on EHR applications than online portals. And if you’re also interested in mobile EHR apps, you must choose the vendor wisely. Moreover, proper planning and analysis are also essential. Above all, we believe that you must explore and understand everything about mobile EHR applications before investing in them. And to help you here’s everything you need to know about mobile EHR applications.    

4. Benefits of Mobile EHR Applications

This section entails in detail the pros of mobile EHR applications. Every advantage has been explained briefly, highlighting the crucial role of mobile EHR apps in healthcare.

Mobile EHR app is the best way to give clinicians freedom at work. Besides, mobile EHR has a lot more to offer in terms of benefits. As practitioners are actively involved in the adoption of mobile EHR apps, the productivity and outcomes of the healthcare organizations have improved too. So, here are the ten major benefits of using mobile EHR applications.    

1. Accuracy in Patient Medical Records    

EHR system serves physicians in many ways. However, the main purpose is to provide them with patient medical records. And mobile EHR apps are just making patient medical records more easily accessible in real-time. Today, even patients prefer to have control of their medical records, and what could be better than an app for the same. Mobile EHR allows practitioners and patients to view the medical records, assess the problems, and make informed decisions. Besides, doctors also review the past diagnosis, progress, vitals, medical history, etc. All this information is available to physicians without even handling their workstations.  

Further, EHR trends highlight that these mobile apps help them stay up-to-date about their patients. Doctors can also share critical details with their patients and educate them about their health. So, with patient medical records accessibility, mobile EHR apps also help physicians connect with their patients to ensure their best health.    

2. Quicker Documentation   

We all know how EHR helps doctors in making informed decisions. It’s possible through the critical patient notes. However, when a patient visits and the time notes are entered, the physicians might miss important details. And this is risky for patients’ health and providers’ business too. Without proper patient information in the EHR, providers can face billing and insurance payment issues. This can directly impact their revenues and eventually their funds. Even the organization’s profitability is jeopardized. So, to eliminate these potential issues, mobile EHR apps are the best. EHR applications help doctors take notes on the go while patients are still in the office. Doctors can take notes or enter essential information on their mobile EHR app alongside the consultation. This benefits both doctors and patients. While this reduces the chances of errors and missing information, mobile EHR also ensures quicker documentation. As said, doctors can take notes on the go, so they don’t need to take out extra time specifically for this. On the whole, mobile EHR apps ensure proper and accurate documentation of patient health information without consuming too much of doctors’ time.    

3. Timely Informs Workforce and Patients   

Mobile EHR apps can do more than provide doctors with accurate patient health information and ensure correct documentation. You will agree that physicians are busy with patients’ visits and diagnostic tasks. With such busy schedules, there are high chances that physicians might miss out on tasks like informing patients about yearly tests or lab findings. However, the silver lining is that mobile EHR offers automated alerting and tracking features for these small tasks. Whether it’s chronic patients’ lab test results or recovering patients’ yearly tests, mobile EHR undertakes this job quite well. With push notifications alerts, the mobile EHR app can reduce the burden of these tasks from physicians. Besides, patients are benefited from this, as they get timely information. Unlike physicians doing it manually, where the chances of mistakes are high, mobile EHR apps also ensure accuracy. So, there is no debate that EHR applications timely inform the workforce and patients about necessary procedures and provide better outcomes.    

4. Enhanced Revenue System   

Typically, providers struggle a lot with billing and revenue. Health leaders often point out how important it is to integrate EHR with billing to avoid losses. Today with mobile EHR, payment collection has become easier and more convenient. Mobile EHR with billing options can help providers enter payment details during patients’ encounters, and practitioners need not wait long for entering the payment details on the portal. With mobile EHR apps, providers can improve the timeliness of medical billing and reduce the time of the reimbursement process. When billing is fast, reimbursement or claim settlement also speeds up. This means practitioners’ revenue generation becomes consistent with no delays. And consistent revenue generation means enhanced productivity and quality care.    

5. Better Communication Capability   

Today, communication between physicians and patients is really important. Patients take a serious interest in understanding their health and want complete information about it. However, the problem that many doctors experienced was the lack of an effective communication medium. But this is no longer a problem; mobile EHR apps are here. Aiding secure communication with patients and other clinicians or staff is one of the major benefits of mobile EHR. A HIPAA compliant mobile EHR app allows physicians to communicate critical health information anywhere to patients or staff members.  

Moreover, this assures patients of the provider’s credibility, and it facilitates trust and ensures a healthy relationship between patients and providers. So, it’s accurate that a mobile EHR app is capable of boosting patient experience and helping other clinicians make decisions.    

6. Dictate Notes    

At times, physicians are too busy to note every small detail of the patient encounter. But that doesn’t mean those details aren’t important. With mobile EHR apps, this aspect is taken care of. Mobile EHR enables physicians to dictate notes during the encounter with the patient. So, physicians need not spend more time writing those additional details, as they can just say it aloud. Moreover, it’s helpful for doctors when they are making changes or updating the information, as the app captures every little detail. So, with the mobile EHR app, physicians get up-to-date information and make informed decisions for better care outcomes.    

7. Charge Capture    

During patient encounters, a lot of documentation is required. Manually documenting information or paper-based documentation is more prone to errors or loss of documents. And the loss of health documents can impact providers in plenty of ways. Effects in care efficiency, patient experience, loss of revenue, billing errors, and inability to make decisions are potential impacts due to loss of documents. However, mobile EHR apps can resolve this. As we know, with mobile EHR, practitioners don’t need to do documentation manually. And this eliminates the lost charge tickets. That means, whenever there are patient encounters, the mobile EHR app either creates a new charge ticket or modifies the existing one. Doing so benefits providers, as the payment process becomes faster and revenue also turns consistent. So, practitioners aiming to double their revenue or just ensure faster payments cycle must invest in mobile EHR apps. It truly helps providers stay financially secure and ensure accuracy in maintaining charge tickets.    

8. Mobile Imaging   

As mentioned before, dictating notes is advantage providers get using mobile EHR apps. However, the app can do more. Providers can take a snap of patients’ problems or symptoms and directly upload them to the records for future reference. This is only possible through mobile EHR apps, and it’s quite beneficial for practitioners practically, just like dictating notes.  

Moreover, physicians will also save time, as taking a photo is faster and easier. Above all, taking a snap ensures better accuracy than dictating notes. In dictation, there are chances that the app might understand certain words incorrectly due to pronunciation. But mobile imaging doesn’t have these problems. So, mobile EHR benefits providers to ensure patients’ condition and progress.    

9. Patient Statistics and Basic Information   

Patients’ health information is not just enough; other information like contact details, insurance, family details, and other general info is essential. Practitioners require their non-medical information for several purposes, such as billing and insurance formalities. While manually noting this information increases the chances of errors, the mobile EHR app can store such non-medical info more securely than the former method. So, whenever physicians require any patient’s non-medical information, they can simply refer to their mobile EHR app.     

10. Boost Operational Efficiency   

EHR applications have proven impactful for healthcare revenue systems and effective documentation. However, one benefit that it offers to any practice management is operational efficiency. With doctors getting accurate and precise patient health information, mobile EHR apps boost productivity. And higher productivity means smooth and seamless operations within the practice. Besides, doctors feel less burdened and can focus on care delivery than administrative tasks.  

On the other hand, the mobile EHR apps streamlined the administrative tasks, ensuring accuracy in information that eventually enhances care quality and other operations, including medical billing processes. So, providers trying to boost their operational efficiency must adopt mobile EHR apps. These EHR applications simplify and automate several complicated processes, as seamless operations enhance patient experiences and revenue systems.    

5 Key Trends in Mobile EHR Apps    

When it comes to EMR systems in healthcare, the evolution is continual. As technologies advance in EMR, medical records will be leveraged toward app development for healthcare. Here is our prediction of EHR/ EMR mobile app development trends that are sure to prevail among medical app development companies.     

a. Integrated Healthcare Apps   

EHR healthcare apps that offer healthcare interoperability are poised to be the next big thing. Currently, EMR systems in healthcare are designed to address specific requirements for patients or healthcare providers. EMR solutions are applied toward correspondence, coordination, clinical data analysis, or even pharmacy management. EMR/ EHR systems, in the current space, are focused on specialization and micromanagement.   

With the application of EMR and EHR for practice management, medical app development companies will be continually innovating toward multi-purpose applications. EHR integration software is likely to develop and fulfill multiple requirements for patients and providers alike. Now, electronic health record applications that offer comprehensive solutions are gaining more and more traction. For example, EMR – electronic medical records can offer patients easier access to caregiving, medication assistance, lifestyle management, and much more. The future expectation from an electronic health records app is for a single app to do ten jobs instead of having ten different apps for each job.    

In a nutshell, electronic health records solutions will be empowered through acquisitions and mergers to make bigger offerings toward electronic health records services. EHR/ EMR mobile app development will be built around EHR interoperability solutions for an all-powerful super app.     

b. Avant-Garde Security Solutions   

Currently, the focus remains on developing a HIPAA-compliant app. While HIPAA compliance is an integral part of electronic health record applications, patient health data is sensitive. Even though EMR, medical records in paper form, or even generalized patient data requires security, it is not enough to satisfy patient concern with revealing this vital information. This turns even more critical in behavioral health care. EMR – electronic medical records are being used increasingly to develop mobile EMR solutions for doctors, patients, and even administrative staff. EHR technology platforms are in constant danger of data breaches and information leakage. Patients are consciously skeptical about uploading their information on electronic patient record systems.   

Going forward, advanced security protocols for mobile EMR apps is a realistic expectation. Electronic data exchange will be powered with agile authentication techniques, including face recognition, fingerprinting, and more, to access open-source electronic medical records. The security of electronic patient record systems is now likely to remain at the forefront of cloud-based EHR software.     

Mobile electronic health record applications are witnessing a promising data-protection technology – Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT). EHR and practice management software have already seen great benefits from blockchain technologies as part of DLT. Blockchain works by creating cryptographic algorithms for cloud-based electronic medical records. Mobile EHR applications are, therefore, protected through a chain of blocks based on mathematical validation. DLT-based security looks to be the central figure of future EMR software development.     

c. Cross-connected Confirmations   

With increasing control of social media, and the unchecked spreading of misinformation and lies, reality checking through cross-connected confirmations is the need of the hour. Healthcare misinformation could cause serious panic among patients and sometimes even providers.   

To address this issue, EHR mobile app development can use cloud computing in healthcare to develop cross-connections to confirm facts from rumors. EMR mobile development will be developed to counter fakes from quality goods. The main goal here is for mobile EMR applications to recognize bogus information. Mobile EMR solutions can deploy healthcare analytics and AI to achieve such confirmations successfully. Healthcare information is long past the point of human scrutiny, but intelligent filters can significantly improve EHR mobile applications.   

d. Agile Interfaces   

EHR software development for mobile EHR applications is all about using advanced interfaces. EHR software solutions can no longer be based around traditional designs with plain interfaces. While maintaining natural communication patterns and simplicity, touchless interfaces are the future of EHR solutions and EMR software development. Clinical informatics can be advanced to offer voice-driven interfaces in an EHR solution. With a rise in voice partners, such as Siri and Alexa, it is only a matter of time until this trend is established across EHR software development. Touchless UIs already see significant movement in wearable devices of healthcare EMR systems.    

e. Power-packed Designs   

Stylish designs are already coming up as the new demand for EHR software solutions. Old designs of EHR mobile applications are soon to turn into a thing of the past. Mobile electronic health record applications developers need to start exercising their creativity toward new and improved designs. Within behavioral health practice management software, practice management solutions can be decorated with engaging designs to maintain user involvement. Practice solutions EMR have great scope for advancement, just through an innovative design. Cloud-based EMR software can be converted into three-dimensional designs for higher patient engagement.     

The electronic health records system does not have to be plain-sighted anymore. More and more electronic medical records systems are being garnished with impressive designs. When developers undertake consistent electronic medical records consulting with the end-user, ideas to provide a higher experience are more likely to pop up. Even with clinical apps, electronic patient record systems can be designed to be more aesthetically pleasing and usable for medical records management. As design technology progresses in other sectors, EHR mobile app development is set to match the pace in the upcoming years.      

5. Challenges in Mobile EHR Apps Adoption

Integrating EHR comes with its set of challenges that if not known, may make it cumbersome for mobile EHR app developers. We have explained all the possible you may face, so that you are well-prepared.

EHR implementation in the healthcare system today is not an easy task. Similarly, mobile EHR adoption is also affected by several challenges. These challenges often impact the adoption/implementation process to a great extent, leaving providers with no way out. However, industry leaders recommend practitioners research and understand their challenges when transitioning to mobile EHR. Knowing the potential challenges helps care providers devise effective solutions to eliminate these roadblocks in the adoption process, thus making it smooth and seamless. So, here are the 10 challenges that most healthcare providers face in mobile EHR adoption/implementation.    

i. Cost Of Development   

Any software or application development and implementation incur a certain level of cost. And there’s no debate that mobile EHR app development is an expensive process. From planning to implementation, providers need to spend a large share of their funds or capital to make it successful. However, the catch is that providers don’t have enough funds or capital. According to some research, EHR applications range from $20,000 to $70,000 per provider. This expenditure range includes the cost of purchase and installation. Besides, these are estimated costs, which exclude unplanned expenditures.  

Further, the mobile EHR app implementation process can be categorized into 5 components- setting up hardware, developing software, assistance, staff training, networking, and maintenance. In these five components, each of them incurs certain of expense. For instance, software development costs the most and training staff too. Even after implementation, in the maintenance process as well, providers might have to spend money to mitigate errors. All in all, mobile EHR app development and adoption require strong financial resources. So, healthcare providers planning to develop mobile EHR apps must do budgeting and ensure their financial resources to avoid this challenge.    

ii. Staff Resistance   

Adapting to any new technology is often affected by resistance. In healthcare systems, if staff is not open to technological transformation, it becomes a hurdle in the implementation process. Similarly, the complete plan would fail if healthcare staff isn’t open to adopting mobile EHR apps. Typically, aged staff or those who aren’t tech-savvy are more resistant to mobile apps. Moreover, showing resistance in such cases affects the implementation process and other operations. Besides, some staff might become habituated with EHR systems or manual documentation processes. And these also become roadblocks in the adoption of mobile EHR applications. So, providers need to educate their staff before investing or developing mobile EHR apps. Staff members will accept the mobile EHR apps with adequate knowledge about the application and its benefits. Providers can boost their staffs’ knowledge about mobile EHR by exposing them to some of the existing apps or other healthcare apps to highlight the comprehensive benefits. This will surely break their resistance and unwillingness towards any technology, especially mobile EHR apps.    

iii. Data Privacy   

One major concern that affects both providers and patients is data privacy. Privacy threats in mobile EHR apps affect the implementation/adoption process. As we know, EHR systems hold a massive amount of patient health data, and it’s extremely confidential. Any loss of this patient data can cost providers a lot. Besides, mobile EHR apps are more prone to attacks and security threats. So, even the stakeholders express their concerns about data loss or leakage issues. Besides, the federal government also imposes policies to protect the confidentiality of patients’ data. Providers’ mobile EHR apps have to go through legal prosecutions in a security breach. And to resolve these, practitioners have to spend millions of dollars to settle it. So, providers must ensure that their mobile EHR app complies with the national policies. A HIPAA compliant mobile EHR app is best to ensure the privacy and safety of the EHR data. This also builds trust among patients and other stakeholders about the app’s authenticity.    

iv. Lack of Technical Support   

Small scale practitioners and clinics often face challenges like lack of technical resources or limited resources, which affects the implementation of mobile EHR apps and eventually the adoption. These small-scale practitioners and clinics often lack in-house IT teams and proper hardware to create advanced, fully-functional mobile EHR apps. Besides, hiring an in-house technical team and purchasing required hardware will cost providers a lot. And with limited funds, technical resources, and the absence of hardware, the adoption of mobile EHR apps has become a far-fetched dream for some providers. So, healthcare IT experts often recommend these small-scale providers approach healthcare tech vendors. IT vendors can help these providers develop EHR applications with their features.  

Moreover, providers can design and invest in the app as per the funds. Also, vendors provide support post-development if there are glitches or errors in the app. Even though investing in vendors will cost providers a lot, they get assurance of technical support.    

v. Complications in Data Migration   

Data Migration is a nightmare for the healthcare staff. Exporting paper document data to the digital system is a time-consuming and tedious task. Medical documents are huge in quantity at healthcare centers, and data entry will take months if there is no format. Data migration from the EHR system to the mobile EHR app will take time without any standard format rule. And this impacts the adoption process, as staffs are mostly unwilling to undertake such tasks. So, the best way to mitigate this challenge is to automate the transfer and set a specific format to avoid errors.    

vi. Lack of Usability   

EHR systems don’t come in ‘one size fits all.’ That means the EHR of a dentist is different from the EHR of a specialist physician. Providers must ensure that the mobile EHR app of physicians is adequate and complies with their workflow and patients. If the EHR app turns out inadequate, then the doctor will never adopt or use it. So, the lack of usability of mobile EHR apps is one of the major challenges affecting its adoption. Besides, doctors might also not use EHR apps if there are flaws in the app. And some doctors, especially aged doctors who aren’t tech-savvy or aren’t trained to use such apps, will not prefer using them. So, healthcare management must ensure that EHR applications comply with workflow and effectively manage doctors’ workflow. Moreover, the management must also give some basic training to doctors about handling the mobile EHR app. This will eliminate the issue of usability and increase its efficacy too.    

vii. Absence of Interoperability   

Lack of healthcare interoperability is a major problem that impacts EHR systems even today. Interoperability simply means the capability of different EHR software to share health information to help providers. In the case of mobile EHR apps, interoperability also poses a challenge, as effective and secure sharing between different mobile EHR applications can be a problem. Moreover, it can affect patients’ health. It’s because, without secured and seamless sharing, providers might end up with issues like data loss and the inability to make informed decisions. So, mobile EHR apps must be interoperable and secure in every way. An interoperable mobile EHR app is best for sharing critical health information to providers across the care continuum. And this boosts patients’ health outcomes and enhances care coordination between doctors and staff.    

viii. Lack of Planning   

Adopting or implementing any software or application required proper planning. Likewise, mobile EHR apps adoption must also initiate with a proper plan. After all, mobile EHR app adoption is not just a technological change, it’s more like a culture shift among staff members and doctors. And this change can become a challenge if the management is not ready. Moreover, there can be other issues as well. So, it’s essential that the care provider first plans out everything, from costing to implementation strategically. Also, analyze and understand the potential challenges to eliminate them timely. Such strategic planning in advance and informing all stakeholders about the plan can benefit mobile EHR app adoption.    

ix. Time Consumed in Staff Training   

EHR applications require training before it’s deployed. Healthcare management needs to invest time and money in training its staff and doctors. Using mobile EHR apps is a little difficult without proper training. Or else the medical team or doctors might end up in errors or manhandling of the app. The app sometimes stops working when it’s not used correctly. However, the problem here is the time required to train the staff. Training doctors and non-clinical staff members are often considered a time-consuming job.  

Moreover, some staff even considers this a hassle. This is more common in small-scale healthcare centers and clinics. These small-scale providers fear the training phase, as they think it impacts their business operations. That means, during the training period, the staff would be engaging more time in learning to handle the app and not on clinical operations. Moreover, some staff might also think it to be an unnecessary effort. So, healthcare management needs to communicate the pros of using mobile EHR apps before their training.    

x. Lack of Proper Communication   

When developing a mobile EHR app, the major communication gap that can hinder the process is between providers and IT vendors. Without proper communication, both entities will confuse, and the app will eventually fail. In other words, when providers can’t effectively communicate their requirements to their IT vendor about the app, desired results won’t come. Besides, this communication between practitioners and vendors is not a one-time thing. Continuous communication at different stages of the app development ensures the complete fulfillment of providers’ expectations.  

Moreover, queries and feedbacks of providers are necessary for vendors too. It helps to build the app as per their clients’ expectations. So, it’s extremely necessary to use effective communication tools between providers and vendors to fulfill their goals.    

6. Best Features You Must Include in Mobile EHR App

If you are looking to build a mobile EHR app, it is important to know what can make it the best. In this section, you will learn about the must-have features for creating a successful mobile EHR app.

Mobile EHR apps are gaining popularity among healthcare providers; some app features have become quite common and essential. Our thorough research and understanding of mobile EHR apps have helped curate this list of the most commonly included features and functions. Moreover, industry experts also believe that including these features can boost the adoption of mobile EHR apps. So, here are the 10 most commonly used features in the mobile EHR app.    

A. Patient Charting    

The main purpose of the mobile EHR app is to bring patients’ health data to the smartphones of doctors. Patients’ clinical data includes medical history, treatment plans, medications, lab tests results, demographics, family information, and more. It’s essential to keep a proper account of these clinical data, as it helps physicians to make informed decisions and even use them for further progress in their treatments. And this data in the mobile EHR app makes it handy for doctors when required. Moreover, it’s important to ensure that patient charting enables doctors to view the complete patients’ clinical data in the most simple and compressed format. So, including this feature of patient charting helps doctors and staff get necessary details without referring to multiple screens.     

B. Scheduling    

Appointment scheduling is a feature that always comes as a great help. Including this feature in the mobile EHR app will surely benefit doctors, as it enables them to manage their patient appointment without any hassle. Doctors can simply add, reschedule and cancel their patients’ appointments as per their schedule and availability. Since it’s an EHR application, it becomes easier for doctors to understand the patients’ case beforehand only. Further, the app also offers push notifications that show upcoming appointments. And for these upcoming appointments, doctors can use the EHR data to know about patients’ cases.    

C. Telehealth   

Including the telehealth feature in the mobile EHR app is an added advantage. Clinicians to clinicians or patients to clinicians’ interactions are more effective through mobile EHR apps. The accurate and precise patient data can help providers in remote health care. Practitioners require accurate and easy access to health information to enhance the efficacy of care. And with mobile EHR apps, providers can easily ensure this. Moreover, it’s best suited for handling emergency cases, as doctors can easily interact with patients and access their complete health information.     

D. Clinical Imaging   

Uploading clinical information to the EHR system is challenging at times for doctors. Of course, they can’t input information into the EHR software from anywhere. However, it’s possible only through mobile EHR apps, as doctors can take a snap and upload it from anywhere. Connecting the smartphone camera to the mobile EHR app is beneficial, as it ensures immediate and secure clinical imaging. So, providers and IT vendors developing EHR applications must include this feature to ensure faster input of clinical information.    

E. E-prescription   

Mobile EHR apps offer faster access to patient information, remote care services, and scheduling options; it also provides e-prescription. Earlier in EHR software, doctors had to give paper-based prescriptions. But with mobile EHR apps, doctors can easily give e-prescription to patients from anywhere. Moreover, this saves time, and patients get their medications much faster than usual. So, including this feature in the mobile EHR app is a wise move for physicians.    

F. Hand-free Notes   

We know doctors have to take notes of the care episode and ensure that this information is included in the EHR system. Since there are chances that they might forget some points when entering the information after their patients’ encounters, doctors can switch to mobile EHR apps with voice recognition. Doctors can enter their notes even during patients’ encounters with this voice recognition feature. Besides, this feature helps physicians save their time on typing meanwhile recording every small detail. Moreover, it allows physicians to focus more on patients and ensure accuracy of information too. Also, it is easier than typing the information, as doctors just need to speak out loud and clear. Above all, this feature is an additional benefit possible only with mobile EHR apps. So, it’s wise to include this feature in the app to enhance doctors’ productivity and patient engagement.    

G. Aid in Assessments   

There’s no doubt that mobile EHR apps’ best aspect is their portability. However, this aspect helps physicians in multiple ways. And the most important one is helping in data assessment. We know that data entry is tedious, and poor penmanship or missed details often result in data inaccuracy. Doctors often faced problems when reviewing the data, as correcting those notes was quite complicated. But not anymore with the mobile EHR app. EHR applications help remove inconsistencies and allow doctors to make amends after reviewing the data. Moreover, the physicians can make changes during the patient encounter only, as, during this time, the data is still fresh in their minds. So, it becomes easier for them to review and make corrections whenever necessary to avoid further complications and inaccuracies.     

H. Remote Patient Monitoring    

Today health leaders and providers are concerned about timely analysis of conditions and predictive analysis. And remote patient monitoring is the best way to gain critical insights about patients. Further, using these important data, practitioners can make informed decisions. In mobile EHR apps, incorporating the remote patient monitoring feature helps physicians to collect necessary data from patients’ devices. The patient data can directly reach physicians’ mobile EHR app, which helps them enhance their care service. Moreover, it improves timely intervention and even helps emergency care providers minimize hospitalization cases by sending alerts and notifications.    

I. Coordinated Care   

In an integrated healthcare system, care coordination is extremely important. Coordinated care improves the quality of care and patient engagement systems as well. Besides, it’s mobile EHR apps that also boost care coordination greatly. Its advanced features include notifications, assessing data, and improving collaborative care within the health system. Moreover, doctors can easily collect, analyze and share critical patients’ data to enhance the care delivery across the system. All these are only through mobile EHR apps, and these are portable and convenient for doctors to coordinate care services across the care continuum to ensure efficiency and productivity. So, providers adopting mobile EHR apps are assured of better care coordination within the system.    

J. Processing Claims   

Another significant feature to include in mobile EHR apps are claim processing options. EHR integration with the billing system proves greatly helpful. Similarly, EHR applications can include claim processing options to make this task easier for providers. You’ll agree that keeping track of claims is an uphill task. And without proper tracking of claims, providers end up in high chances of claims denials or delays.  

Moreover, issues in claims tracking impacts providers’ revenue systems too. Mobile EHR apps are portable enough that doctors can enter the claim amount immediately after patients’ encounters. This way, doctors don’t forget about it, and providers benefit from faster claims processing. Besides, the mobile EHR apps with claims tracing features benefit small-scale providers and clinics more. Typically, small-scale providers and clinics face claims processing issues more. So, IT vendors developing mobile EHR apps can suggest this feature to such providers to improve their revenue system.    

7. Best Mobile EHR Apps For iOS Users

This section briefly highlights the difference between iOS and Android mobile apps. It explains the benefits of iOS-based mobile EHR apps and mentions the topmost EHR mobile apps used.

Mobile EHR apps are not exclusive to one platform or type of operating system. While the market share of Android in mobile EHR applications is nearly 85%, it is merely 14.7% for iOS. Of course, Android-based smartphone users are more than iOS users. IOS-based smartphones are specific to Apple users, but Android smartphones are available in various types and price ranges. Moreover, iOS smartphones are costlier than Android ones. So, people tend to prefer Android more than iOS platforms. However, one discrepancy that affects mobile EHR apps is security concerns. Typically, mobile EHR apps must ensure complete security due to patients’ health data sensitivity. And Android’s open-source nature can impact the security of mobile EHR apps.  

On the other hand, iOS platforms are more secure than Android. So, mobile EHR apps on iOS platforms assure better privacy and safety concerns. Further, we have listed the best mobile EHR apps for iOS users. Check out these if your doctors and staff mostly use Apple smartphones or tablets.    

1. Dr Chrono   

Voted as the “Top mobile EHR,” Dr. Chrono’s iOS mobile EHR app has some great features to boost the user’s performance. Dr. Chrono ensures that practitioners’ clinical workflow is on point and functions smoothly. And to maintain the clinical workflow, this mobile EHR app enables faster patient charting, offers customizable medical forms, medical speech-to-text features, macro buttons, and drawing tools. Besides, Dr. Chrono enables its users to order tests and prescriptions from the app itself. Other features include billing functionality, SMS/phone/email appointment reminders, and billing report analysis. So, in every way, Dr. Chrono is a great iOS-based mobile EHR app.    

2. EPIC    

Epic is the name that comes first whenever we talk about EHR systems. Epic also has an iOS-based mobile EHR app that offers a secured and quick way to store patients’ medical records. Epic EHR app ensures the safety and privacy of the patient data while users can access it without any hassle. Moreover, users have complete control over the medical documents they store in the app. The highlight of the Epic EHR app is its user-friendly interface, which enhances the overall experience of using it. Besides, it’s simple and greatly helpful for practitioners, as it’s free too. So, care providers can use the Epic EHR app without worrying about data loss or privacy issues.    

3. Next Gen   

Another notable mobile EHR app is NextGen that can transform a smartphone into a workstation that healthcare practitioners use. NextGen makes it easy for doctors to record patient details directly to avoid typing every point about the care episode. Moreover, it becomes easy for doctors to focus more on their patients’ cases than manually entering medical records on the EHR app. This EHR application enables reminders for medications and offers easy scheduling. Moreover, this app also helps practitioners navigate medication history, including the charting, lab test results, problems, and other scanned documents of patients.    

4. AdvancedMD   

iPad and iPhone users can also opt for the AdvancedMD EHR application. This iOS-based mobile EHR app is built with multiple features, including patient charting, medication histories, lab tests/results, and more. Moreover, doctors can easily review, edit, add or print patient charting, their problems, and medication details. Another important feature of the AdvancedMD EHR app is its secured messaging ecosystem, and the app allows patients and providers to connect and share critical case information securely. Besides, features like lab results and charge capture are available for iPad users only. The app development team will soon make it available for iPhones too.    

5. Kareo   

Mobile EHR app by Kareo goes by the line- Touch and Go simplicity. Kareo EHR app offers a streamlined interface that is icon-based, and such a simplistic interface offers an easy screen navigation experience. Further, this app offers providers functionality like managing physicians’ schedules, e-prescription, charting, reviewing lab results, and even secured messaging. However, one feature that is quite interesting is compatibility with Apple Watch. Kareo EHR app offers this watch compatibility increases its usability. Besides this, the app also ensures better patient engagement through its colorful and innovative imaging and diagrammatic representation of patients’ details. Kareo EHR app is an interesting app for Apple users.    

Best Mobile EHR Apps For Android Users    

As mentioned before, Android’s market share in mobile EHR app is way more than iOS users. However, security is a consistent issue for many providers using Android-based EHR applications. Nevertheless, IT vendors developing Android-based EHR apps emphasized privacy and safety issues. Above all, complying with HIPAA or other national policies also assures users of the app’s safety. So, here are some of the best mobile EHR apps for Android users.    

a. MedClin   

MedClin’s mobile EHR app Medical Records offer functionalities the same as its name suggests. It ensures that practitioners face no difficulties in creating patients’ medical records. Including multiple tools, the Medical Records app ensures that medical documents of any format get easily attached. Besides, it can control blood pressure and even chart the metrics quite accurately.    

Further, Medical Records app users can export health data to Excel Sheet for future reference or sharing among different facilities. This is beneficial for healthcare management, as doctors can review and edit the health records even offline. Moreover, users can save their blood sugar, or blood pressure reports in PDF format for convenience. Additionally, it includes modules like lab tests, radiology, prescription, and more such options. Undoubtedly, MedClin’s Medical Records is an exquisite Android-based EHR app.    

b. EPIC   

Epic’s Android-based EHR app is also available and capable of turning the smartphone into a healthcare staff’s workstation. The Epic Android EHR app is similar to its iOS version, from accessing patients’ charts to clinical imaging. It includes hand-free note-taking, appointment scheduling, e-prescription, and a secured messaging system. All these features aim to improve patient engagement and physicians’ productivity. It’s HIPAA compliant and extremely helpful for clinicians.    

Apart from this, Epic also has a free Lucy PHR system for patients. As per Lucy PHR, patients can review their health information and amend it. Further, clinicians can also access it to upload snaps of documents relating to Continuity of Care. Besides, Lucy PHR offers accessibility from other facilities. Above all, the Epic Android EHR app is a safe and trustworthy choice for practitioners, especially privacy concerns.     

c. RxNT   

The Android EHR application RxNT is well-designed to fulfill the EHR requirements for clinicians. It has been available for many years and serves as the best EHR software app even today. It offers ECPS-certified e-prescription features and practice management tools as well. Besides, RxNT offers appointment scheduling, access to medical records, prescriptions, reminders/alerts, and more. One interesting thing about this app alert system is in case of incomplete tasks. So, clinicians using this app need not worry about incomplete work, as this app will remind timely.  

Moreover, it also reminds patients about upcoming appointments by sending them notifications on time. It even offers calendar sync to ensure more convenience for providers. Its simple and user-friendly interface makes it a great choice for clinicians. And it’s versatility as an EHR app attracts practitioners as well.     

d. Medium   

Medium is a great pick for clinicians, as it’s a contract-free EHR app available for both Android and iOS users. From accessing patients records to recording patients’ demographics, Medium is really helpful for providers. It offers appointment scheduling, reminders to patients about their upcoming consultations, vitals, and many more. Besides these, this mobile EHR app also offers features like digitally transforming existing forms through a form builder, uploading clinical information in images format, importing and organizing clinical documents. It also allows providers to communicate across the facility through its secured messaging option, streamline workflows and get alerts for low inventory. Typically, this app ensures that clinicians’ workflow gets smoother and they get easy access to patient health information for making further decisions.    

e. Meditab   

The last but quite interesting EHR application we came across is Meditab. Designed with EHR features, Meditab is an Android-based EHR app. Featuring patient charting, scheduling appointments, e-prescription, practice management tools, and communication tools, Meditab is a well-designed and easy-to-use app. Practitioners get most of the common and useful EHR app features here. Further, it helps doctors save their time and effort to focus better on patients. For this, the app has a voice recognition function for note-taking during patient encounters itself. Above all, this EHR app operates efficiently to ensure better patient engagement solutions and streamlined workflow for providers.    

8. Frequently Asked Questions about Mobile EHR Apps

At OSP, we understand that several questions may go through your head while building a mobile EHR app. We’ve got you covered! Here, you will find all the commonly-asked questions to clarify all your doubts.

1. Why Mobile EHR app is important?   

Mobile EHR Apps are gaining preference among healthcare providers today. While EHR software existed for a long time and turned out helpful for practitioners, the mobile EHR app increased its accessibility. Further, portability is a major aspect to consider in mobile EHR apps, and doctors can view, edit and add patient health information anywhere. Moreover, physicians get more flexibility using mobile EHR apps, as every detail of their patients at right in their hands. So, the mobile EHR app is a necessary development today, as it simplifies several functionalities and ensures convenience for providers.   

2. What are the potential uses of the EHR app?   

Well, there are multiple uses of an EHR app. But some uses are more critical than others. Medical record management, including adding, editing, and reviewing patient health data, is the most significant use. Besides, mobile EHR apps are also used for storing and organizing clinical documents, helping physicians make better health decisions, and ensuring improved care delivery. Of all other uses of mobile EHR apps, these are important ones.    

3. Does Mobile EHR App boost productivity and ROI?   

While mobile EHR apps assure the portability of the EHR system, it helps in strategic decisions to enhance the workflows. Typically, physicians had to rely on workstations for patients’ data and many other administrative works. But with mobile EHR apps, physicians have all these at their fingertips. So, their work becomes more streamlined and requires fewer efforts. These boost their productivity, as they can shift their attention to patients’ care. Besides, better care delivery means increased patient engagement, directly boosting the ROI. Overall, it’s true that mobile EHR boosts providers’ productivity and ROI.    

Conclusion    

With the continually evolving nature of healthcare trends, mobile EHR applications will follow suit. As technologies grow in strength, health accessibility through mobile applications will continue to expand. This guide explicitly navigates through the different aspects of mobile EHR applications. EHR systems are constantly growing, from their adoption challenges to the best apps. Follow the above-mentioned key trends, must-have features, and benefits to build a strong and profitable EHR application.     

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