Healthcare
Table of Contents
The healthcare industry relies on efficient, accurate data. Today, electronic health records (EHR) and electronic medical records (EMR) greatly support modern medical practices. With many EHR software solutions available, selecting the right one can feel perplexing. We'll help you choose the best EHR software by introducing you to the top EHR software solutions.
While EMR and EHR have a core component in common, which is storing patients' electronic health records, and are often used interchangeably, they also have some differences. In general, EHR might have more functionality and data-sharing possibilities. At the same time, EMR allows patients to collect and analyze their data only in the area of particular healthcare practice.
EMR systems are best for hospitals and small and medium-sized practices and have the following characteristics:
An EHR system is software built to manage electronic health records, such as health history, lab test results, medicines prescribed, allergies, and, of course, patient's age, gender, name, and more. In lay terms, EHRs are also digital versions of a patient's medical chart. The main EHR features include patient appointment scheduling, document management, patient communication, and electronic prescriptions.
The EHR system is a central point for creating, storing, and managing these records. It allows authorized healthcare providers to securely access and update patient data in real-time, regardless of location, and make better decisions about patient care. The software facilitates care coordination and improves communication between healthcare providers.
EHR systems are advanced versions of EMR and best suit healthcare providers who want to allow patients and doctors to share information. The other robust features of EHR software include:
The biggest advantage of EHR software is certainly cost efficiency. There is no question that specialized software is better than tons of handwritten paperwork. Still, the most valuable characteristic of such systems is automatization, which saves doctors' time and reduces medical errors that cost a bundle for hospitals and clinics. The major advantages of most popular EMR/EHR systems also include:
All in all, an EHR system is a long-term investment in your business. When chosen right, it can increase ROI and clinic revenue. Nevertheless, this process is closely tied to clinics' ability to implement and leverage EHR.
Choosing an electronic health record system is a significant decision to considerably improve your practice's workflow, efficiency, and patient care. Here are some things to consider while choosing one for your healthcare organization:
Now, let's discover the most popular ready-to-use EMR systems the software market offers in 2024.
We have collected 15 of the best EHR and EMR systems that may address your clinic needs and improve patient care. Prepare to dive!
NextGen EHR is a popular Electronic Health Record system designed for ambulatory practices of various sizes. It is cloud-based and scalable and is one of the best EHR systems that meet patient data security and privacy regulatory standards, such as HIPAA compliance and ONC certification. The system is available on the web, tablets, and mobile devices.
Key features: patient scheduling, charting, billing, telehealth functionalities, patient engagement tools, mobile, clinical templates for 26 specialties, mobile app is available. Has responsive support.
Cons: can be expensive for smaller practices, with licensing fees and potential ongoing maintenance charges, offers limited customization, implementation is challenging.
Cost: starting at $299 per provider/month for nurses and $379 per provider/per month for physicians. No free trial available.
Cerner EHR is another widely used electronic health record system with a strong presence in hospitals and larger healthcare organizations. It boasts a modular design, open architecture, and advanced analytics. The best thing is that Cerner EHR software provides services for 55 different specialties. Cerner is highly customizable and offers detailed charting capabilities.
Key features: revenue cycle management, scalability, security and compliance, powerful analytics tools, mobile availability, e-prescription, voice recognition, lab integration, and interoperability.
Cons: complex due to modular design and extensive features, not user friendly, limited customization options.
Cost: $25 per user/per month. No free trial available.
Epic EMR is known for its comprehensiveness and ability to cater to larger healthcare organizations, academic medical centers, and independent practices. It is considered as one of the best EMR systems for hospitals. The software has great scalability for accommodating growth and complex workflows, maintains robust security measures to protect patient data, adheres to HIPAA compliance, and emphasizes data sharing and interoperability.
Key features: patient scheduling, electronic charting, billing, order management, telehealth functionalities, and patient engagement tools, industry-specific modules. Great interoperability.
Limitations: significant licensing fees, steep learning curve for users, and implementation can be complex and time-consuming.
Cost: between $1200 to $500,000. No free trial available.
Allscripts EHR is one of the most popular and well-established EHR/EMR systems. It caters to diverse healthcare practices. It is known for its intuitive design, making it easier for staff to learn and navigate the system, potentially improving adoption rates and reducing training time. Allscripts is scalable, easy to integrate with third-party systems, and offers great customer support. Suitable for small and medium-sized practices and hospitals.
Key features: appointment scheduling, electronic health record management, e-prescribing, patient portal, telehealth capabilities, revenue cycle management tools, and ease of use.
Limitations: occasional system slowdowns, freezing or login issues, less customizable experience, and data migration challenges.
Cost: available upon request. No free trial available.
AdvancedMD EHR is a cloud-based software system designed for various-sized practices with a focus on ambulatory care. It works well for physician offices, physical therapy centers, mental health practices, and independent practices. The software claims to be HIPAA compliant and built to streamline plenty of aspects of running a medical practice.
Key features: high level of customization, mobile app for clinicians and patients, telehealth capabilities, good customer support, appointment scheduling, secure communication, and automated processes and dashboards.
Limitations: limited reporting features, steep learning curve, data migration challenges, too complex for simple needs, high cost.
Cost: starting at $485 per provider per month or $1.47 per encounter. No free trial available.
Athenahealth offers a cloud-based EHR system designed to improve practice efficiency, financial performance, and patient care. It is entirely cloud-based, eliminating the need for expensive on-site hardware and software installations. This EHR/EMR option works best for small practices and medium or large organizations. It is HIPAA compliant and offers videoconferencing and advisory services.
Key features: practice management integration, revenue cycle management, analytics and reports, patient portal, effective data management, and robust patient communication tools.
Limitations: little customization, initial complexity, and additional investments in training are required. Additionally, third-party integrations are available for a fee.
Cost: starting at $140 per user per month. No free trial available.
eClinicalWorks can effectively manage the needs of medium-sized and large practices with multiple physicians and locations. The system integrates telehealth functionalities, enabling virtual consultations with patients and improving accessibility to care and convenience. It offers tools to support population health management initiatives for better preventative care.
Key features: open API for easier integration with third-party applications, robust security features and HIPAA compliance, great reporting and analytics tools, ease of use, and great customization.
Limitations: may seen as complex for simple needs, is complex to implement, weak customer support, not user-friendly.
Cost: starting at $499 per month. No free trial available.
Meditech EHR is a cloud-based software that facilitates data management, encompasses patient engagement tools, and is HIPAA compliant. One of the best Meditech EHR is that it offers iOS and Android-compatible apps for mobile access to patient data and the potential for AI integration. It suits medium to large hospitals and can handle complex workflows and patient volumes.
Key features: robust customization, user-friendly interface, advanced charting, clinical decision support, patient portal, integrated billing and revenue cycle management, and virtual care options.
Limitations: complex integration with third-party applications, slow system, glitches and downtime reported, and insufficient charting options.
Cost: available upon request. No free trial available.
CareCloud EHR is a cloud-based system that stores patient data and offers features like clinical decision support and a patient portal. It is customizable, secure, and HIPAA-compliant. Due to its scalability and customization, this EHR software works best for medium to large medical groups and healthcare systems across various specialties.
Key features: rich patient summaries, configurable templates, actionable insights, tracking progress towards quality initiatives, and telehealth integration opportunities. It also offers drag-and-drop scheduling options.
Limitations: steep learning curve, data import complexity, some users report difficulty setting up recurring appointments, lack of robust inventory management system, pointless customer support.
Cost: estimated to start around $349 for basic EHR features as of 2021. No free trial available.
TherapyNotes is one of the best EHR cloud-based practice management software specifically designed for therapists, counselors, and other mental health professionals. It tackles all aspects of running a private practice, from storing patient records securely to streamlining billing and scheduling.
Key features: user-friendly interface, HIPAA compliance, a free basic telehealth platform, and robust tools for client documentation management, scheduling, billing, and practice management.
Limitations: lack of customization, simple reporting without in-depth data analysis, limited third-party integrations.
Cost: starts at $49 per month for a single user. For practices with multiple therapists, TherapyNotes offers a group plan: the first clinician is $59 per month, and additional clinicians are $30 per month each. Each plan offers a 30-day free trial.
Valant EHR is cloud-based software designed to achieve the best results for behavioral health professionals. It is user-friendly for solo therapists and smaller practices seeking a basic, affordable EHR system with teletherapy options. Distinctive features include integrated group therapy, credit card processing, and online bill pay. Valant also has integrated measurement-based features for making evidence-based decisions.
Key features: strong tools for progress notes, treatment plans, and outcome tracking; basic telehealth capabilities, mobile access, structured note templates, and color-coded scheduling.
Limitations: customization, little scalability, some user reviews mention frustrations with customer service responsiveness and difficulty getting technical support.
Cost: with no pricing available online, the estimated cost for Valant might start at around $100 per month for basic features per provider. No free trial available.
Medhost EHR is a feature-rich EHR for hospitals and large clinics. It offers scalability, robust functionalities, and integration potential. The software manages various healthcare settings with features like EHR, CPOE, CDS, and specialty-specific modules. The EHR prioritizes data security and boasts HIPAA compliance.
Key features: integration with other healthcare software and labs for efficient data exchange, reporting and analytics, patient engagement features, and revenue cycle management tools.
Limitations: customization challenges, complexity for smaller practices, steep learning curve, limited free trial options.
Cost: The estimated price is $300 per month per provider. No free trial available.
CPSI EHR is a suite of electronic health record software designed specifically for the needs of rural and community hospitals and acute care centers of all sizes. It offers a comprehensive package that includes EHR, billing, radiology, and picture archiving functionalities.
Key features: intuitive design, streamlined ordering of medications, labs, and other procedures, patient portal, seamless integration with laboratory systems. Additionally, the software offers medication reconciliation, quality assurance, and therapy tracking.
Limitations: complicated data exchange with external applications, little scalability and customization options, limited reporting.
Cost: available upon request. No free trial available.
Practice Fusion is a cloud-based EHR system best suited for small ambulatory care practices that seek a user-friendly EHR system with basic telehealth capabilities. As one of the best EMR systems for small practices, it offers vast customization possibilities and can be adjusted to doctor's and staff requirements. There is no need to install any software: the users can start work right after signing up on the platform. Moreover, Practice Fusion is one of the best EHR software that offers a free trial.
Key features: user-friendliness, patient engagement features, customizable templates, telehealth integration, prescription management, medical billing and imaging, and lab integration.
Limitations: few features, limited storage capacity for free plan, potential integration challenges, and lack of scalability.
Cost: Plans are estimated to start at $149 per provider per month. 14-day free trial.
Greenway is a cloud-based EHR that boosts efficiency, billing, and patient engagement. It's customizable, has the potential to implement AI features, and increases the organization's efficiency. It is best suited for medium and large practices seeking EHR software that enhances revenue cycle management and patient engagement.
Key features: HIPAA compliance, revenue cycle management, streamlining clinical and administrative tasks, reports and dashboards, and great customer support.
Limitations: integration challenges, repetitive data entry, steep learning curve, slow service response time, and updates are difficult to handle.
Cost: available upon request. No free trial available.
The EHR/EMR software market offers a great choice of systems for every size and budget. Their undoubted benefits for patients and clinics bring the most fruitful outcomes like enhanced care quality and increased organizational efficiency.
Choosing EHR software that best suits your organization can be daunting. Sometimes, the right solution is building custom healthcare software for your business to meet your needs and requirements. If you need help choosing an EHR or want to develop a tailored one, do not hesitate to contact us. With over 15 years in software development, we'll ensure that your endeavor results in success.
US-based and operating globally, NEKLO spearheads digital transformation initiatives for businesses worldwide. We deliver software solutions complying with your market and legislation.
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