Healthcare systems have come a long way since the days of manual appointment scheduling and physical healthcare records. Thanks to the rapid development of modern software technology, the healthcare industry is continuing to experience more efficient administrative and clinical processes, making way for more accurate diagnoses and improved patient experience.
Healthcare software systems are already commonplace in hospitals and clinics all around the world. However, not many people know about them except for the individuals working with such software. Therefore, we are here to discuss the different types of healthcare software systems–as well as their benefits to the healthcare industry, particularly to its main consumers.
Electronic healthcare records
Electronic healthcare records (EHRs) or electronic medical records (EMRs) are digital documentation of a patient’s medical records. EHR or EMR systems were designed to replace manual recording of patient information on paper, which was extremely inefficient but was the only option in the past.
Today, patient information can be recorded electronically via a computer or a mobile device. This makes the process of recording information much more efficient as well as less prone to errors, which improves the efficiency of administrative tasks significantly. Moreover, electronic medical records make it possible for a patient to see their own health data even if they don’t visit the office. And if they go to a different clinic, their new provider has easy access to their medical records.
Another valuable benefit of electronic healthcare record systems makes it possible for programs such as MIH healthcare (mobile integrated healthcare) to operate. Since patient records are stored in a digital private system, healthcare professionals and emergency services can efficiently pull up patient information to help them provide the best care.
Patient portals
As mentioned a little while ago, electronic healthcare records allow patients to see their own health information, and they can do so through patient portals. On a patient portal, patients can see their medical history, prescription, medical bills, test results, and other pertinent health information. This type of software also makes it easier to transact with their provider with features such as online payment and appointment scheduling.
That said, patient portals eliminate the need for patients to call the doctor’s office just to ask about their health information. Not only does this make the customer experience much more convenient, but it also saves time for administrative staff who have to answer those phone calls.
Patient portals are becoming a staple in the healthcare industry, and it’s easy to see why. For providers who still haven’t set up patient portals, they are likely missing out on the convenience and cost-effectiveness that this type of software provides.
Electronic prescribing
Electronic prescribing or ePrescribing is a type of software that allows doctors’ offices to fill up and send prescriptions to the pharmacy in a more efficient way. More importantly, using ePrescribing software is also less prone to errors. Prescriptions can be easily tracked and monitored accurately, ensuring that patients get the right amount of medication with each fill. Apart from that, electronic prescriptions eliminate the risk of misreading handwriting on physical prescriptions, which, in turn, significantly reduces the risk of giving patients the wrong drugs.
Ensuring that patients receive the correct medication is extremely crucial. And in this modern age, providers should consider ePrescribing software as more of a necessity rather than a luxury to ensure the safety of their patients.
Remote patient monitoring
Remote patient monitoring (RPM) is one of the best breakthroughs in modern medical technology. With RPM, patient data is sent directly to the healthcare facility wherever the patient may be, and this is made possible by medical sensors that detect things like blood pressure and blood glucose levels.
The data from RPM can be used to predict events that will require intervention, making it easier for healthcare professionals as well as patients to prevent them in the first place. For example, if a patient has a constantly increasing blood pressure, their doctor can readily provide them advice to lower their blood pressure or call them to the clinic for medical intervention if needed. This leads to a better quality of medical care, especially when it comes to chronic conditions. Moreover, it helps prevent hospital readmissions, which helps reduce the patient’s medical costs.
These modern healthcare software systems are helping shape the medical industry today. More than making processes more efficient and accurate, these systems are key drivers for enhancing patient care as well as improving healthcare outcomes.
Consider all these advantages, it’s clear as to why healthcare providers should invest in these types of software for their practice. And now is the best time to do it while technologies are continuing to develop at breakneck speed lest they want to be left behind.
