September 16, 2024

In 2024, we can see the ways of delivering healthcare have completely changed. The major reason behind this is the adoption of modern healthcare systems. Let me ask you! What pops into your mind when you hear about the significant advancement in healthcare in recent times? Are mHealth apps, predictive modeling, or health information systems what you picture?

Without a doubt, these have revamped the healthcare sector. However, the one leading thing we see today in almost every medical organization that played a pivotal role in modernizing the sector is a type of health information system called EHR solutions. I’m not the one saying it; a Statista report suggests that nearly 88% of office-based US physicians use an EHR system to improve operational efficiency and patient outcomes.

This article will help you understand EHRs, the benefits of EHR systems for providers and patients, and whether they have any negatives. So, without wasting any more time, let’s jump into the topic to uncover more exciting things about EHR software solutions.

What are Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems?

Electronic health records (EHRs) are digital versions of patient paper charts. They include complete patient information, including demographics, medical records, treatment history, lab tests, and more. These updated records are stored, managed, and accessed through EHR systems.

Apart from managing patient data, these systems support various tasks like appointment scheduling, coordination among various medical practitioners, e-prescription management, etc. There are also some must-have features of EHR systems that enhance their effectiveness in modern healthcare practices.

Now that we have a clear understanding of EHR systems, it’s time to turn our attention to the center of our topic and highlight the key EHR benefits that make their adoption rate so high.

Top 7 Benefits of EHR Systems

According to a recent report, the global electronic health records market size will grow by $54.7 billion from 2024 to 2028. The growing market size is the result of numerous pros of EHR systems. The best part is the advantages of EHR aren’t confined to just the providers. Let’s explore the top seven benefits of EHR systems in healthcare for patients and providers:

Pros of EHR Systems for Healthcare Providers

1. Improve Workflow Efficiency

One of the most prominent advantages of EHR systems is that they improve operational efficiency. You must be asking yourself how? Let me explain and clear things up for you. 

EHR systems make it easy and quick for healthcare providers to access and manage crucial patient health information. It helps your medical team to make timely decisions and avoid any unfortunate scenarios. Moreover, there is no chance of losing patient records as every record is stored digitally. 

These systems also automate various time-consuming and tedious clerical tasks that free up resources and allow them to focus on delivering quality patient care. They streamline tasks like appointment scheduling, prescription management, invoice generation, etc. 

EHR software solutions cut paperwork to save time and costs and empower caregivers by providing built-in templates to create notes. This way, EHR plays its part in improving your staff’s productivity.

2. Increase Quality of Care

EHR software helps healthcare providers do even better what they do best—serving patient needs by improving the quality of care. A national survey reveals that 75% of US providers believe that EHR systems have allowed them to improve the quality of patient care. The real question to consider here is, how?

EHR systems provide quick access to comprehensive and updated patient information that leads to timely and better decision-making. As physicians have access to records that show a patient’s allergies and current medications, physicians can offer personalized care. 

These solutions are best suited for emergencies where quick access to patient health records is essential to provide the right care that patients deserve. 

3. Minimize Medical Errors

What if I tell you that medical errors rank among the top 3 causes of death in the US—is it surprising to you? At least, it’s surprising for me to know that medical errors are the reason behind 251,000 deaths annually in the US. The impact extends beyond the tragic loss of lives and leads to financial losses of around $20 billion each year in the United States.

EHR systems help healthcare providers in the diagnosis and treatment process. These solutions eliminate the need to enter data manually and rely solely on what patients tell. With quick access to patient digital records that contain accurate information about medical histories and allergies, caregivers can avoid prescribing medication that conflicts with the existing ones.

4. Regulatory Compliance & Saving Money

The security of protected health information is a must in the healthcare sector. A minor data breach can cost you patient trust and financial instability. Outdated systems and paper records are prone to data breaches.

EHR systems are more secure than legacy systems and paper records. Most healthcare software providers deliver EHR systems that comply with HIPAA and GDPR regulations. This compliance helps healthcare providers protect their data, save the organization’s reputation in the market, eliminate financial losses, and avoid legal penalties. 

Let me highlight the importance of compliance with HIPAA regulations using a real-world example. Premera Blue Cross, a health insurance company, was fined $6.85 million due to breaching the healthcare data of nearly 10.5 million individuals. This clearly demonstrates why having EHR systems that meet international standards is essential.

Moreover, HIPAA compliance makes the sharing of data secure among healthcare providers, which gives ease of mind by reducing the risks of data breaches.

Pros of EHR Software for Patients

1. Improve Health Outcomes

EHR systems automate various tedious and time-consuming healthcare tasks. This automation frees up professionals and helps them spend more time delivering personalized care rather than doing paperwork and administrative tasks.

These systems give various healthcare providers quick access to protected health information for continuous and better care coordination. A report reveals that a massive 76% of patients believe that their doctor using an EHR solution has a positive effect on the healthcare they receive.

2. Better Patient Engagement

Another EHR benefit for patients is active engagement. Many healthcare providers overlook patient engagement, which ends up being costly. Nowadays, patients prefer to actively take part in their healthcare journey instead of simply agreeing with whatever their doctor proposes.

EHR systems allow patients to engage, access their healthcare records, understand their condition, and take control of their care using patient portals. It helps to build a lasting relationship between patient and provider.

3. Save Costs

It’s well-known that managing healthcare can be costly, which makes patients reluctant to invest heavily in it. However, EHR software solutions help patients save money by avoiding unnecessary, redundant tests. This is because healthcare providers have complete access to a patient’s medical history, and they can quickly verify past results and assessments.

Are there any disadvantages of EHR systems?

Will you believe me if I say that there are no cons to EHR? They don’t negatively impact the quality of care or the productivity of your staff, but the thing that most healthcare providers think of as a drawback is the high initial costs and maintenance costs. Are these costs truly a disadvantage?

It is an investment that promises long-term gains. However, the thing that healthcare providers must consider is the EHR vendor they choose. A reliable EHR software development company not only provides high-quality software solutions but also guarantees transparency in pricing. They train your staff on how to use the EHR solution, cover costs like maintenance, and help you get the most out of your investment.

How Xeven Solutions Help You Improve Your Practice with EHR Systems

Understand the true potential of your practice by leveraging the expertise of Xeven Solutions, a leader in healthcare AI development. We have a 10+ years journey dedicated to helping businesses like yours to tap into the benefits of EHR systems to achieve their goals. Our well-versed healthcare experts understand your unique challenges and deliver custom EHR solutions that are intuitive, HIPAA-compliant, and fit for your needs. 

Our EHR software solutions help you automate administrative tasks, reduce medical errors, and improve revenue. What’s more, 81% of professionals say EHRs increase general workplace productivity. So, why wait? Hundreds of thousands of healthcare providers are already enjoying the advantages of EHR systems. Contact us today to see how we can bring these benefits to your practice.

About the Author: Taimoor Asghar

Taimoor Asghar is a Technical Content Writer with a passion for emerging technologies, continuously keeping himself updated with the latest industry and technological trends. He ensures that complex concepts are translated into informative pieces, catering to both experts and novices. He crafts engaging narratives through blogs, articles, and how-to guides that captivate audiences and inspire them to delve deeper into the ever-evolving world of tech innovation.