EHR Software Development Process : Ultimate Guide for 2025
With an all time high adoption rate of 78% in EHR systems in office-based physicians in 2021, the number of healthcare practices adopting EHR and EMR systems is still rising. These healthcare software systems are changing the way healthcare works and somewhere dictating the terms for the future of the healthcare industry.
One of the best examples of this can be found in the way we store our health information or medical history. Also, the use of equipment and entire systems in diagnosis have become the gifts of technology that have made a permanent place in healthcare delivery.
That is the reason the benefits of EHRs for both patients and providers are slowly being recognized by everyone and that is the reason we have seen a huge rise in its market lately. Some of the benefits of custom EHR solutions include easy access to health data, timeliness in healthcare delivery, etc.
However, given the conservative nature of the off-the-shelf EHR software systems, many healthcare providers are making an effort to shift to custom healthcare software development. And this has given rise to custom EHR software development in recent years. Meaning developing a system that is dedicated to a practice and adheres to the workflow and the specific healthcare offerings that the practice is offering.
But if you have been looking to develop your own custom EHR software system, then you know that it is a tiring process and long process. Furthermore, not knowing the intricacies of the process can lead to the problem which already 65% of healthcare providers face with EHR systems.
So, to help you understand the process of custom EHR/EMR software development process in a much better and more sophisticated way, let’s get started with this blog as a step-by-step guide to custom EHR software development.
Step 1: Planning Phase
This is basically the starting phase of any healthcare software development or software development. Being the very first step of the development process, it is also one of the most crucial phases that will form the foundation of your EHR software system.
To simplify how to swiftly move through this phase, we’ve prepared a set of questions that you need to ask yourself. So, without further ado, let’s get started:
What are the specific needs and goals for the EHR system?
You need to understand that a software is defined by its functionality and its functionality is defined by the features. And how do the features are decided? Well, you guessed it right, by identifying and addressing the specific needs and goals that the user wants to achieve with the software.
Let’s have a look at some of the goals that an EHR system must like, access to patient data in a comprehensive and understandable manner or the ability to manage patient data, etc.
Who will be your users (doctors, nurses, or patients)?
Once you have identified why you are going to use the software—which in this should be fairly easy—then you have to identify your user groups, in simple terms, who is going to use this software. Since, EHR software systems are generally used in healthcare practice, your core group will be doctors, nurses and patients.
Depending on the user group and providing them an ease in accessibility, the software customizations can change. For instance, providing a custom EHR mobile app for your patients would be more convenient and provide a system for doctors. This is to increase accessibility and understanding what kind of users will be using what type of device.
What is your budget and timeline for development?
After you’ve identified your core user groups, the most important question arises where on which your development depends which is budget and timeline. As custom EHR software development is a long process, and depending on the complexity of your software the budget and the timeline also stretches.
At this stage, one of the best practices to develop your ideal custom EHR software is to conduct a thorough research of your competition and analyze that. This is important because it will help you understand what features you need and what features you don’t, which is one of the major challenges in building custom EHR systems.
Step 2: Development Approach
Once you are done with the planning of your custom EHR software development, what you need to do next is to decide the development approach you are going to adopt. Naturally, building an EHR system as a custom EHR solution can be done in multiple ways, however, when the approach is right, it gives you enough flexibility and space to customize whenever required. Discuss the methodology beforehand with your custom EHR software development company so that you get everything that you require.
Making the process simpler for you, here are some of the development approaches that you can choose for your software:
1. Agile Methodology: This approach is iterative and divided in small phases where the different parts of the software are developed in short cycles. This is best for rapid development with evolving needs and requirements.
2. Waterfall Methodology: This is more like a traditional approach and follows a sequential approach where every part of the software is developed one by one. Best suited for you if you have well-defined requirements and expect a minimal change.
Before moving ahead with any development methodology, select the right EHR software development company and discuss it briefly with them. Also, cross check this with your budget and requirements, as your development majorly depends on those two factors.
Step 3: Design Phase
After the development approach is decided, the software enters the design phase, where the most integral components of the software – UI/UX are designed. Designing user interfaces for EHR systems is responsible for making your software usable for the users and that is the importance of this phase.
First things first, create user personas and scenarios under which the users are going to use the software. On the basis of that, create wireframes for the software. Wireframes will give you an idea of how the software looks and feels. Along with that, it also gives you an idea of how certain features of the software will function.
Last but not the least, create prototypes for testing the software. This is to ensure if the software is actually usable and provides a delightful experience while using.
Step 4: Development Phase
Once you have finalized the complete design of your software, it’s now time to put the EHR developers to work. In the development phase, the first thing that you need to look for is choosing the right technology stack for EHR software development. This includes, programming languages, frameworks, databases, front-end and back-end tools, APIs, operating systems, web services and cloud infrastructure and services.
Discuss which technology stack will be most suitable for your software and discuss this with your EHR software development company and EMR software developers, which will help you find a cost-effective and comprehensive solution.
After that build the core features and functionalities of your custom EHR software and keep a close watch on how the software is being developed. This will give you the flexibility in curating the roadmap for the future.
Last but not least, once everything is developed integrate your custom EHR software with additional healthcare software systems like labs, e-prescriptions with robust APIs.
Step 5: Testing Phase
It is very natural to test anything before putting it out for everybody to use. And that is exactly the phase your custom EHR software enters after the development phase. During this stage, you need to focus on and test the reliability, security, and performance of the EHR software.
Conduct performance user acceptance testing for EHR implementation with stakeholders and end-users. This is one of the best ways to gain their trust and get the necessary feedback and refine the software accordingly so that it can turn your good EHR software into an ideal or even a great EHR software and that is the importance of customization in EHR solutions.
Step 6: Deployment Phase
After testing, you enter the last and most important stage of your development process, the deployment phase. In this stage, you need to plan how you are going to roll out the software for everyone to use, and it will be embedded in your healthcare organization.
One of the core parts of this phase is the user training and support where you actually train the users on how to effectively use the software. This is to boost the software’s efficiency and also to tell them the dos and don’ts while using the software.
Once you are set with the deployment plan, monitor the system’s performance post-deployment and address any issues that may arise.
Step 7: Maintenance & Support
Though the development of your custom EHR software is complete, the software is bound to face many challenges. This is where the maintenance and support part comes in making your software the best there is.
Establish a maintenance schedule for regular updates, software patches and bug fixation. Along with that, your EHR software development vendor also needs to provide ongoing technical support and troubleshooting for users. And lastly, continuously take feedback from the users to improve the EHR system as per the requirements.
Furthermore, future consideration in EHR development should not be ignored with the rise of AI and other advanced technologies, dictating the future of healthcare delivery.
Considerations
On that note, let this blog be your guide and follow the steps for building an EHR system for your healthcare practice. These key considerations include analyzing existing EHR challenges, assessing needs, budgeting, evaluating technical expertise, and prioritizing security and compliance. Moreover, the selection of an EHR vendor involves research, evaluation, cost analysis, and a final informed decision. In addition to that, the development process includes defining functionalities, choosing a development approach, implementing agile development and rigorous testing, followed by data migration, user training, and ongoing support.
Thinking of developing your own custom EHR solution? You’re at the right place. We at Thinkitive can assist you in building a robust EHR system designed to meet your specific specialty needs, click here and let’s get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Key considerations for EHR systems include:
- Interoperability: Ensuring seamless data exchange with other healthcare systems.
- User Experience: Designing an intuitive and efficient interface for healthcare providers.
- Data Security: Implementing robust security measures to protect sensitive patient information.
- Regulatory Compliance: Adhering to HIPAA and other relevant regulations.
- Scalability: Accommodating future growth and increasing patient volumes.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Balancing initial investment with long-term benefits.
The cost to build an EHR system varies widely based on factors like complexity, customization, integration needs, and vendor selection. Smaller practices might spend $10,000-$30,000, while larger healthcare organizations could invest millions. Consider consulting with EHR vendors and IT experts for accurate cost estimates tailored to your specific needs.
An EHR software system is a digital tool that helps healthcare providers manage patient information. It offers features such as:
- Patient data management: Securely stores and organizes patient records.
- Scheduling: Helps manage appointments and track patient visits.
- E-prescribing: Enables electronic prescriptions to be sent directly to pharmacies.
- Clinical documentation: Facilitates the creation of patient charts and medical notes.
- Reporting: Generates reports for analysis and decision-making.
- Billing and coding: Streamlines the billing process and ensures accurate claims.
- Patient portal: Provides patients with secure access to their health information.
Open-source EHR platforms offer several benefits, including cost-effectiveness, customization flexibility, interoperability, and a strong focus on security. These platforms are often free or significantly cheaper than proprietary solutions, allowing healthcare providers to save on licensing fees. They also provide the ability to tailor the software to specific needs and workflows, enhancing efficiency and user experience. Open-source EHRs are designed to seamlessly integrate with other healthcare systems, improving data sharing and collaboration. Additionally, they often benefit from a large and active community of developers who contribute to security updates and enhancements, ensuring a robust and secure platform.
To ensure your EHR system is secure and compliant, implement strong access controls, regularly update software, train staff on security protocols, conduct regular audits, and have a robust disaster recovery plan. Choose a reputable EHR vendor with a proven track record of security and compliance.
Here are some best practices for implementing a new EHR system:
- Involve Key Stakeholders: Ensure input from clinicians, IT staff, and administrators.
- Thorough Planning: Develop a detailed implementation plan, including timelines and resource allocation.
- Data Migration: Accurately migrate patient data to the new system.
- Robust Training: Provide comprehensive training to all users.
- Testing and Validation: Rigorously test the system to identify and resolve issues.
- Phased Implementation: Roll out the system in phases to minimize disruption.
- Continuous Improvement: Regularly assess and refine the system.
Consider these popular tech stacks for EHR development:
- Frontend: React, Angular, or Vue.js for interactive UIs.
- Backend: Node.js with Express.js or Python with Django/Flask for robust server-side logic.
- Database: PostgreSQL or MongoDB for efficient data storage and retrieval.
- Cloud Platform: AWS, Azure, or GCP for scalable and secure deployment.
Choose a stack aligned with your team’s expertise and project requirements.
Common challenges in EHR development and deployment include high costs, resistance to change, data security concerns, interoperability issues, complex implementation processes, and the need for ongoing maintenance and updates.
Continuously improve your EHR solution by prioritizing user feedback, conducting regular system reviews, staying updated with the latest technology, and seeking expert guidance. Focus on enhancing usability, streamlining workflows, and ensuring data security.
Building an EHR system presents significant challenges, including:
- High Cost: Development and implementation require substantial financial investment.
- Complex Integration: Seamless integration with existing healthcare systems is crucial but difficult.
- Data Security and Privacy: Protecting sensitive patient information is paramount.
- User Adoption: Ensuring healthcare professionals embrace the system and use it effectively.
- Interoperability: Enabling data exchange with other healthcare systems and devices.
- Regulatory Compliance: Adhering to complex healthcare regulations and standards.
- Continuous Improvement: The need for ongoing updates and enhancements to meet evolving needs.
To ensure the security of patient data in an EHR system, implement robust access controls, encrypt data both at rest and in transit, regularly update software and security patches, conduct thorough employee training on security protocols, and maintain a comprehensive backup and disaster recovery plan. Additionally, consider using advanced security technologies like multi-factor authentication and intrusion detection systems.
EHR systems must comply with various regulations like HIPAA, HITECH, and state-specific laws to ensure data security, privacy, and interoperability. Key requirements include robust access controls, data encryption, regular security risk assessments, and adherence to data exchange standards.
Integrate your EHR system using health information exchanges (HIEs), application programming interfaces (APIs), or direct connections. Consider factors like data security, interoperability standards, and vendor support when choosing integration methods.
Here are some best practices for EHR system design:
- User-centered design: Prioritize the needs of healthcare providers and patients.
- Interoperability: Ensure seamless data exchange with other healthcare systems.
- Data security and privacy: Implement robust security measures to protect sensitive patient information.
- Clinical decision support: Integrate tools to aid in diagnosis and treatment.
- Scalability: Design the system to accommodate future growth and evolving needs.
- Regular updates and maintenance: Keep the system up-to-date with the latest technology and regulations.
To enhance EHR user experience, prioritize intuitive design, clear navigation, and fast response times. Reduce unnecessary clicks and streamline workflows. Provide context-sensitive help and customizable interfaces. Regularly gather feedback and iterate on improvements.
The future of EHR systems involves greater interoperability, AI integration for better decision support, enhanced patient engagement through personalized portals, and a focus on data security and privacy. These advancements aim to improve healthcare efficiency, accuracy, and patient experience.
