Beyond the Basics: Advanced Features to Consider in Custom EHR Software

Picture this: a dedicated pediatrician spends hours after work sifting through mountains of patient data, desperately searching for crucial trends. Their current EHR, while functional, lacks the advanced analytics features needed to identify at-risk children proactively. Unfortunately, Dr. Patel’s story is not uncommon.

A recent study revealed that 62% of healthcare providers feel their EHRs hinder, rather than enhance, their ability to deliver quality care.

The truth is, basic EHRs, like sticking a band-aid on a broken leg, might offer temporary relief, but they won’t lead to long-term success. In today’s data-driven healthcare landscape, advanced features hold the key to unlocking a world of possibilities for providers.

In this blog, we will explore the cutting-edge features that transform your EHR from a simple record-keeper into a powerful tool for efficiency, superior patient care, and data-driven decision-making in 2024.

Integrated Analytics and Reporting

This custom EHR feature empowers you to gain a holistic view of your operations through functionalities like:

1. Customizable dashboards for key performance indicators (KPIs):

Imagine having a personalized cockpit for your organization’s health. Integrated analytics allows you to build dashboards tailored to your specific needs. Track critical KPIs across departments, from managing clients to finance and operations, all in one place.

2. Real-time population health analytics to identify care gaps and risk factors:

In the healthcare industry, for example, this translates to proactive patient care. By leveraging real-time data, you can identify individuals who might be at risk for certain conditions or who haven’t received essential screenings. This allows for early intervention and improved overall health outcomes.

3. Financial reporting tools for revenue cycle management optimization:

Streamline your financial processes and maximize revenue with integrated analytics. Generate reports that provide insights into your revenue cycle, allowing you to identify areas for improvement and optimize cash flow.

4. Automated quality measure tracking for compliance and improved outcomes:

Ensure you’re meeting all regulatory requirements and benchmarks effortlessly. Integrated analytics can automate the tracking of quality measures, giving you peace of mind and allowing you to focus on delivering exceptional service.

AI-Powered Clinical Decision Support

Custom AI EHRs are transforming healthcare by providing clinicians with intelligent decision-support tools.

1. Data-driven insights:

Machine learning algorithms can analyze vast amounts of patient data to identify potential health risks and suggest the most appropriate evidence-based care pathways. This can significantly improve diagnostic accuracy and lead to better patient outcomes.

2. Automated alerts and reminders:

AI can act as a vigilant assistant, providing real-time alerts for critical situations like medication conflicts, abnormal lab results, or missed preventive care opportunities. This helps reduce human error and streamline workflow for busy healthcare professionals.

3. Clinical documentation support:

This feature assists in offering specialty specific patient care by providing personalised template forms and many others.

Workflow Automation and Decision Support

This combination not only streamlines processes but also enhances accuracy and efficiency across various healthcare settings. Let’s delve deeper into how this integration can revolutionize healthcare delivery.

1. Rule-based alerts and reminders for preventive care, medication interactions, etc.:

Imagine the system automatically triggering reminders for patients due for check-ups, or flagging potential drug interactions before they become a problem.

2. Clinical decision support tools integrated with evidence-based guidelines:

This pointer dives deeper into decision support. Here, you can explain how these tools provide healthcare professionals with real-time access to the latest medical knowledge, helping them make informed choices based on best practices.

3. Customizable order sets and protocols to reduce errors and variations in care:

This feature focuses on how automation can standardize procedures. With pre-defined order sets and protocols, healthcare providers can ensure consistency and minimize errors in care delivery.

4. Automated documentation templates to save time and ensure completeness:

This addresses the administrative burden. Automated templates can streamline documentation tasks, freeing up valuable time for clinicians and guaranteeing thorough records.

Patient Engagement and Self-Service

The specific Custom EHR features that can engage patients’ and self-service are as follows:-

1. Secure patient portal: This central hub allows patients to manage various aspects of their healthcare independently. They can:

• Schedule appointments: This eliminates the need for phone calls and waiting on hold, offering more flexibility and control.

• Refill medications: No more running out of prescriptions! Patients can easily request refills within the portal.

• Access test results: Timely access to test results fosters patient understanding and facilitates discussions with providers.

2. Two-way communication features: Streamlined messaging between patients and providers is crucial. The portal should enable:

• Secure messaging with doctors or nurses for non-urgent questions or updates.

• Appointment reminders and follow-up communication.

3. Educational resources: Empowering patients with knowledge is key to better health outcomes. The portal can provide:

• Easy access to educational materials related to specific conditions, treatments, and preventative care.

• Interactive tools and resources for self-management of chronic conditions.

4. Telehealth capabilities: This innovative feature allows for:

• Remote consultations, saving patients time and travel hassle.

• Convenient follow-up appointments, ensuring continuity of care.

Interoperability and Data Exchange

Interoperability emphasizes how easy data exchange fosters better collaboration between healthcare providers, ultimately leading to improved care coordination for patients.

1. Compliance with HL7 FHIR standards for secure health data exchange:

The HIPAA Compliant Custom EHR assures readers that the system adheres to the latest data exchange protocols (HL7 FHIR) for secure and reliable patient information transfer.

2. Integration with external labs, pharmacies, and health information exchanges (HIEs):

This integration enhances the system’s ability to connect with various external healthcare entities, allowing for a more comprehensive view of a patient’s health.

3. Ability to import and export patient data in standardized formats:

This functionality emphasizes the system’s flexibility in handling data exchange, ensuring compatibility with different formats used by various healthcare providers.

4. Referral management tools to facilitate communication with specialists:

This specific feature streamlines communication between healthcare providers when referring patients to specialists, promoting a smoother care experience.

Frequently Asked Questions