Navigating The Different Types of EMR Systems

If you’ve determined that you require an EHR or EMR system, you must decide which one. That’s an important thing to do. But how will you choose the best electronic medical records for your practice? Before you choose the right one, you need to know about the different types of EMR.   

EMR and EHR systems need no introduction, especially in today’s healthcare setting. However, healthcare providers often need clarification when implementing electronic medical records software or integrating it with other healthcare solutions.  

The functionality and technological qualities of different types of EMR systems vary. Some of them are hosted on the servers of physicians. Others need cloud storage and are available as SaaS options. The alternatives are diverse and significantly impact the operation and cost of EHR/EMR deployment in hospitals. So, to help you select the right EMR software for your practice, we use different types of EMR systems. The article will give you a thorough insight into types of electronic medical records systems.   

Key Functions of EMR Systems

Electronic medical records increase physicians’ and clinicians’ ability to record and use patient information efficiently. Hospitals and independent clinics have better control over health data by converting paper records to digital software. Here are some of the key functions of EMR software solutions. 

Charting 

Since the emergence of EMR and EHR software solutions, medical history and diagnosis data are automatically recorded in a secure digital environment, clinicians no longer need to worry about losing this crucial data, as everything is stored, encrypted, and secured. There aren’t any medical charts floating around from previous visits. Furthermore, digital records are more accurate and easier to read. Unlike sloppy handwriting is a thing of the past.  

Order Entry 

EMRs make it easier for clinicians to store and submit lab test orders, among other tasks. EMR solutions make these orders less likely to become lost in the heap of papers. Furthermore, there is no chance of errors, as they’re filtered out of the system, and accuracy in order entry and records are thoroughly maintained. And without errors, hospitals and patients save time and money in redundant testing in the long run.

Patient Portals 

EMR platforms provide patients with direct access to their medical information. Most electronic medical record software includes an online gateway to securely access patients’ previous visits, medication history, and lab results from a specific hospital or clinic. This is like EHR systems, be it the Epic systems or AllScripts EHR integration software. 

E-Prescribing

Prescriptions are often delivered to pharmacies faster than usual owing to the e-prescribing function of most EMRs. This function can also notify clinicians about dosage levels, allergies, and potential drug interactions. So, pharmacy management software integrated with EMR solutions can receive and prescribe medications much faster and more streamlined. 

Supporting Decision-makers

In addition to the useful patient portal, most EMR software solutions provide functionalities that assist patients in managing various areas of their healthcare. Such functionalities allow patients to receive notifications and reminders about upcoming treatments and recommendations for specific operations.  

Types of EMR Systems

Adopting EMRs isn’t as complex as you think. Hospitals and care providers can easily implement or integrate electronic medical records into their healthcare software, like telehealth solutions or remote patient monitoring platforms. There are different types of EMR systems that clinicians can try. Finally, the right type of EMR system is determined by healthcare providers’ specific needs and abilities.  

Mac EMR Software   

It is quite clear from the name itself that Mac EMR software is the type of EMR compatible with all Apple devices. Mac-native options are custom-built and designed for the Mac operating system. Iterations of Mac systems differ a lot from that of Windows. So, having EMR software solely for Mac-based products makes sense. Besides, IT developers have also opined that EHR integration, or Epic integration, is different for Mac systems. Furthermore, cloud or web-based software choices work flawlessly on any Apple device with sound Internet connectivity.  

Cloud-Based EMR Solution 

Healthcare providers today are big fans of cloud-based healthcare solutions, including EMR and EHR systems. Providers can view data online using cloud-based EMR software. A fundamental aspect of cloud-based EMR software is remote access to information. Patients and providers can access clinical information stored on the EMR and EHR systems from anywhere, anytime. Patient’s medical information is safely stored on the cloud. Besides, cloud-based EMR software is a more economical medical record management solution because servers do not host data. These systems are also referred to as Web-based or Software-as-a-Service (SaaS).  

ONC Certified EMR Software 

ONC-certified EMR software is a solution that meets the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) criteria. These regulations are concerned with properly managing and storing sensitive patient data. ONC-approved EMRs are software evaluated and certified by entities authorized by the ONC. Testing verifies that software meets the ONC’s standards for meaningful use of health information. These criteria include access to a patient portal, a location to devise patient care plans, quality reporting tools, etc.  

Mental Health/ Behavioral Health EMR Solution  

With mental health and behavioral care gaining momentum, health tech developers have also designed specific EHR and EMR platforms. EMRs for behavioral and mental health practitioners come with a variety of capabilities. These characteristics are tailored according to the requirements of mental health clinics, therapists, and behavioral clinics. For a therapist or psychiatrist, accessing old notes might be time-consuming, and some might misplace them as well. With EMR integrated with mental health practice management software, accessing notes or managing documentation is no longer stressful. The advanced note management features in behavioral/mental health EMR software can ensure all these tasks and even care for billing and scheduling.   

Medical Billing EMR Software

Medical billing software can make processing patient statements and insurance claims much easier and faster. When integrated with EMRs, these software solutions create a comprehensive and robust administrative department. Besides, medical billing software allows medical providers to automate billing operations such as verification, processing claims and payments, and following up on denied or delayed insurance claims. As a result, frustrating and time-consuming administrative tasks are transformed into efficient automated operations. Automating information with EMRs frees up clinical staff’s time and enables them to focus on more patient care.  

Conclusion

Electronic medical records and electronic health records are a constantly evolving technology. EMRs are the most preferable tool for many physicians and healthcare organizations to improve the quality of their medical services. EMRs make it simple and efficient for clinicians and patients to access patient records. The EMR system may not be a one-size-fits-all solution. There are various types of EMR systems, and it is up to individual providers to determine which functionalities are most appropriate for their practice and business goals. An EMR can significantly improve medical information storage and access, especially when the right software is used.  

References 

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