The Impact Of Cloud Computing in EHR Software

The healthcare industry is moving away from paper records and embracing electronic health records (EHRs). In the US, many healthcare providers are choosing cloud-based EHR systems because they offer several advantages. These systems make it easy for doctors and nurses to access patient information from anywhere with an internet connection, which is great for telemedicine and working across different locations.

However, cloud-based EHRs are proven to be cheaper for many smaller healthcare providers with similar benefits as server-based EHRs. This needs careful planning as you need to take into consideration the security issues, the challenges faced while integrating these systems with existing ones and to train staff to use them effectively.

This blog will take you through the impact of EHR on the healthcare software industry, the benefits that attract healthcare providers towards cloud-based EHR and review the challenges while integrating EHR with Cloud and suggest ways to overcome them.

Let us first understand what a Cloud-based EHR.

What Is a Cloud-Based EHR?

Cloud EHR, or cloud-based Electronic Health Records, is a modern way for healthcare providers to store and manage patient information using the Internet. Instead of keeping patient records on local computers or servers at the healthcare facility, all the data is stored securely in the cloud. This means doctors, nurses, and other medical staff can access patient information anytime and anywhere they have an internet connection.

Key Features of Cloud-Based EHRs:

• Remote Access: Healthcare providers can access patient records from any location with an internet connection, using various devices such as laptops, tablets, or smartphones.
• Data Security and Privacy: Cloud-based EHRs typically offer robust security measures, including encryption, secure login protocols, and compliance with healthcare regulations like HIPAA.
• Scalability: These systems can easily scale to accommodate growing amounts of data and increasing numbers of users without the need for significant additional investments in hardware.
• Interoperability: Cloud-based EHRs facilitate the seamless sharing of patient information across different healthcare systems and applications, enhancing coordination of care.
• Automatic Updates: Cloud service providers handle software updates and maintenance, ensuring that the system is always up-to-date with the latest features and security patches.

Benefits Of Cloud Computing in EHR System

Cloud-based EHR systems improve operational efficiency, data security, and accessibility, ultimately improving patient care delivery and practice management. Read here how:

1. Accessibility

Cloud-based EHR systems benefit healthcare providers majorly by storing medical information on the internet, making it easy for healthcare providers to access current patient data from anywhere. Whether using a computer, tablet, or smartphone, clinicians and staff can stay updated and make informed decisions even if they’re not at their office desks.

This EHR mobility accessibility is useful, especially for practices with multiple locations or when the staff move around frequently. It keeps everyone connected and ensures they have the information they need to provide better care and make faster decisions.

2. Reduced IT capital investment and costs

Using a cloud-based system means benefiting by not buying as much hardware or hiring network experts on-site, which saves money.

Also, because all your software and files are stored in the cloud, tasks like installing new software, fixing problems, moving data, or updating software are usually cheaper and easier. The company you buy the cloud service from takes care of these things without needing to send someone to your location.

3. Scalability

A major benefit of cloud-based EHR systems is scalability. This means it can grow as your medical practice gets bigger. As a key feature of a digital health platform, a cloud-based system is great for practices planning to expand because it’s easy and cost-effective to add more users and computers.

You just create new accounts for new people, and they can access the system from anywhere with the internet. In contrast, with an on-site system, you’d need to adjust your office network each time you add staff or devices, which can be more complicated and expensive. Cloud systems offer flexibility and savings, making them ideal for growing medical practices.

4. Improved Disaster Recovery

Cloud-based EHR solutions benefit healthcare organizations preparing for emergencies like cyber attacks and natural disasters. They do this by regularly saving copies of patient health information in secure online locations. If something bad happens, like a computer virus or a storm damaging the office, these backups make it easier and faster to get all the important patient records back.

This way, healthcare providers can keep helping patients without as much interruption. It’s like having a safety net for medical records, ensuring they’re protected and accessible when needed most.

5. Ability to Search and Exploration

Cloud-based EHR systems are a huge benefit as it allows healthcare professionals to quickly search through large amounts of patient records. They can use different search criteria to find specific information they need, making it easier to access and retrieve data. This improves how quickly doctors and nurses can find important details about their patient’s health histories, which helps them provide better care.

Challenges Of Cloud-Based EHR Systems and How To Overcome Them.

When we think about the challenges of using cloud computing in healthcare, the following are a few important concerns to keep in mind:

1. Low Upfront Cost But Higher TCO

A major challenge is hidden costs. In addition to paying for the out-of-the-box EHR solution itself, healthcare providers can be charged additionally for its customization, storage increase, hardware upgrade, and data transfer to the new system

How To Solve The Issue: If you want to save money with your system, think about making it work better and finding different ways to make money with cloud EHR.

For instance, you could charge patients to see their health information or make appointments through a patient portal. They would be the ones paying for using the system.

Another way to make money is by showing advertisements within the EHR or EMR software. This could bring in extra revenue for the owners of the software. These ideas can help offset costs and even make the system profitable.

2. Higher Risk Of A Data Breach

In healthcare, data breaches are a major challenge to consider. They are more expensive compared to other industries, and they happen frequently. Web-based EHR systems, which can be accessed remotely over the internet, are particularly vulnerable to these breaches.

How To Solve The Issue: Selecting a cloud-based software provider and prioritize reliability. You should ensure they meet strict security standards like HIPAA to protect patient data and also ask detailed questions about their security measures.

Train your staff to reduce human errors that could compromise security. Establish legal safeguards to protect your company from potential industrial spying. These steps will help safeguard patient information and maintain trust in your healthcare practice.

3. Staff Reluctance

This is a challenge which needs consideration. Switching to a new system can be stressful for doctors. They often end up working extra hours to handle the new electronic health record (EHR) software. It can feel overwhelming because they have to change how they do things during their workday.

How To Solve The Issue: To help your employees adapt to these changes, it’s important to listen to their concerns and address them positively. You can’t expect them to figure out the new system on their own. Instead, organize training sessions before and during the introduction of the new EHR system.

Make sure team leaders show others how to use it. Also, plan for a period of lower productivity in your business strategy and budget for the first three to six months after switching to the new system. This can help everyone adjust more smoothly.

Conclusion

Cloud computing is revolutionizing EHR systems, offering numerous benefits including enhanced data security, scalability, cost efficiency, improved accessibility, and better disaster recovery. As a leading healthcare software development company, we understand how these healthcare technology trends are transforming EHR software development services, addressing challenges such as data privacy, vendor lock-in, and connectivity issues. The future prospects of integrating AI, blockchain, IoT, and expanding telemedicine promise to further enhance the capabilities of cloud-based EHR systems. As healthcare continues to evolve, cloud computing will play a pivotal role in ensuring efficient, secure, and patient-centric care.