Collaboration and Integration: Custom EHR and Healthcare Ecosystems

The healthcare industry is one of the most collaborative industries in the world where everyone needs to be in sync to provide accurate and holistic care to patients. However as the healthcare industry is undergoing a digital shift, the collaborative framework which already existed seems to be fragmented and isolated.

Though this seems to be an unnoticeable problem on the surface, when you get into the intricacies of the healthcare IT landscape, you’ll notice this is a very persistent challenge. For instance as the healthcare practices are implementing their own custom healthcare software solutions, the common ground for two disparate systems is lost.

Despite this you see your system instantly exchanging data with each other and helping healthcare providers in delivering care effectively immediately!

This brings me to the question, how is this even possible where two different healthcare software systems with two completely different frameworks, formats, etc., communicate with each other?

Well, the answer to this lies in the custom EHR software development methodology and the necessary steps taken for the system to collaborate with each other. This includes custom EHR integration, data interoperability measures, etc.

Still confused? Worry not. In this blog, let’s see how custom EHR software helps you build an ecosystem that is collaborative and inclusive. So, without further ado, let’s get started!

Importance of Integration in Custom EHR

Integration in custom EHR software can be defined as the ability of the system to work together with other disparate healthcare software efficiently as one system. While many healthcare practices have adopted off-the-shelf software solutions, it provided them with little to no flexibility, which didn’t allow them to integrate with important elements from the healthcare industry such as wearable devices, telehealth platforms, etc.

This has become one of the major reasons why many healthcare organizations are shifting to custom EHR software. Since custom EHR development offers you flexibility and scalability options, it becomes easier for EHR developers to easily integrate your custom EHR software with other healthcare systems.

All these help improve workflow efficiency and build a nature of collaboration.

Integration with the Healthcare Ecosystem

Look at the healthcare ecosystem as a widespread banyan tree, which is large and branched out in very different niches. And to deliver healthcare you need help from all of its branches so that you can deliver the right care to the right patient and at the right time.

Here are some of the major integrations that you need for your custom EHR integration from the large and widespread healthcare ecosystem:

Laboratory and Imaging Integration

In some cases, you might need to rely on test laboratories or health imaging services for X-rays, MRI scans, etc right? In such cases, your system needs to communicate with the system of that particular healthcare professional to directly update the result in the patient’s EHR. That is why integration with laboratory and imaging is required in your custom EHR to enhance patient care collaboration.

ePrescription Integration

Rather than handing out a physical note for prescription to the patient to take medication, you can directly send the prescription list to the patient and pharmacists. This will help you in reducing errors and ensure the right medications are prescribed to the patients. All you need for that is to integrate your system with your custom EHR system.

Telemedicine Integration

If you are offering virtual care services to your patients, then rather than developing a separate telehealth platform, you can directly integrate it in your custom EHR. This will bridge the accessibility gap between patients and providers which will allow you to connect with the patients anytime and anywhere that too from your custom EHR.

Patient Portal and Messaging Integration

To enhance patient engagement, you need some features that should be specific to patients only. This is where the patient portal comes into the picture. Here integration with patient portal and messaging systems, you can easily empower patients in the care journey and equip them with the necessary channels to instantly connect with their healthcare providers.

Device Integration

If you are providing virtual consultations and still if the patient has to come to your clinic for their vital collection, then it’s really pointless, isn’t it? Well, that is where integration with remote patient monitoring devices comes into the picture. It will allow your software to instantly collect and transmit the collected vitals readings to your EHR system.

Electronic Health Information Exchanges (HIEs)

The healthcare professionals working in your practice need to communicate and exchange data with other healthcare providers, physicians, nurses, etc. With just a system the security of the data can be at risk. However, with the HIEs system you can allow your healthcare providers to seamlessly exchange information with their systems or vice versa.

Some of the technological considerations for achieving this seamless integration are HL7 FHIR standards and robust APIs.

Benefits of Collaboration & Integration

Let’s see some real-life examples of custom EHR software development and how it promotes collaboration to improve patient care.

• Enhanced Care Coordination Across Different Providers: With custom EHR integration, your healthcare providers can easily coordinate with providers seamlessly and in real-time. For instance, when a healthcare provider updates the test results, it can be directly reflected in the EHR system, which your care provider can assess and provide care instantly. This improves collaboration between two separate healthcare institutions and minimizes the time needed for care delivery.

• Improved Medication Management and Reduced Medication Errors: When your custom EHR software is integrated with the pharmacy system, it helps your healthcare providers and patients to easily manage their medications like refills, etc. On the other hand, the margin of humans is almost minimized to zero, promoting better practices.

• Real-time Access to Patient Data for Informed Decision-making: Custom EHR integration helps the entire care team access patient data in real-time and make informed decisions quickly and effectively, further bridging the gap between care delivery.

• Increased Patient Engagement and Empowerment: With an inclusive and well-connected healthcare ecosystem that allows patients to take control of their health, you directly or indirectly increase patient engagement and empower them to participate proactively in their care journey to improve their health outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions