5 Advantages of Using a Cloud-Based EMR Software

Cloud technology lets medical providers handle the demands of the dynamic healthcare landscape. This technology helps high-performance private practices significantly reduce IT requirements and supports the trend of greater mobile usage. When practices switch to Cloud EMR Software, they can streamline processes, reduce staffing and training costs, monitor projects more efficiently, improve accessibility, and reduce capital costs. 

Medical facilities leveraging cloud EMR software over in-house, client-server systems are wise enough to consider hidden costs of in-house software ownership as well as the visible costs of the monthly subscription fee for onsite software. In addition to that, you can get solutions, like connectivity and mobility, which were previously only available to large hospitals and group practices. This article explores the top five reasons why providers are increasingly switching to cloud-based EMR systems to elevate their practice. So, let's start without any further ado.

1. Anytime, Anywhere, Access & Collaboration

Cloud software users get easy, remote access to their practice and patient system anywhere, anytime with an internet connection – hospital, home, remote clinic – using a smartphone, tablet, or iPad. Accessing the system outside of the clinic enables providers, patients, and staff to achieve better care coordination and collaborate more effectively.

Using a cloud-based system, you can perform your nork work tasks remotely without compromising your workflow or speed —it’s just like you were in the clinic. These systems offer real-time remote access to your daily schedules and healthcare data. Further, remote software access lets you easily connect to and work from multiple office locations. 

2. Cost reduction

The cost of EHR installation and implementation remains a significant concern for many healthcare facilities. In-house, client-server systems cost around ,000 or more to set up for small practices. Then add the maintenance costs, licensing fees, updates, and patches on top of that. Since cloud-based EMR solutions require no purchase of software licenses, installation of hardware, implementation, etc., they dramatically reduce overall costs and provide better medical staff.

On top of this, eliminating clunky software interfaces, slow manual tasks, and cumbersome workarounds enable practices to ensure smooth-flowing best practices into the workflow. Organizations pay a monthly fee, like a utility bill, as part of an arrangement known as software as a service (SaaS). These cost savings are often underplayed or overlooked in cost and ROI benefit analyses and represent long-term, sustainable advantages of subscription-priced online healthcare software.

3. Greater Security

Client-server systems remain unencrypted and often pose major information security concerns for medical clinics. They are only as secure as the room or closet where a practice stores them. However, cloud-based systems deliver greater security and meet HIPAA compliance through data centers with high-encryption methods and bank-level security that make data unreadable even if a security breach occurs. 

Most leading cloud systems even automatically back up and store data in enterprise-class operation centers. These security procedures and backup processes provide higher HIPAA regulatory compliance than what most practices can get with client-server software. Don't leave your practice at the risk of a natural disaster or unexpected downtime. Cloud-based data is safer than paper records as it can save you even in the event of a fire or natural disaster. As cloud data remains backed up securely in multiple locations, it can allow you to access patient data anytime to get up and running as soon as possible.

4. Simplified Scalability & Implementation

Cloud software does not require users to support multiple client-server equipments at customer sites, so it moves through the testing and development phase much faster. Large healthcare practices can even expand on the cloud without the standard IT growing pains as a web-based solution eases the addition of new doctors, users, and locations. This flexibility lets medical facilities grow and think big without breaking the bank.

As these web-based systems don't require any hardware or software installation, the implementation process goes quickly. It lets practices reduce interruption of cash flow and get a faster return on investment than traditional paper-based, client-server systems. Moreover, when cloud software updates go live, they happen once, and all clients benefit from the improvement simultaneously. 

5. Smooth & Frequent Software Updates

When practices move medical records to the cloud, they get up to date without the headache because they no longer require a team of IT experts to update hardware and software. It significantly reduces the number of unknowns as they are more likely to cause problems during an upgrade. The cloud-based SaaS provider handles all of these tasks, and the provider's development team controls everything.

The cloud system is developed and tested against a software that matches the production system. The provider of a web-based software system owns all the pieces – hardware, software, and network-related, so nothing is left to chance. These systems provide automatic updates to ensure practices continue to run on the most up-to-date version of the software available.

Final Thoughts

EHR and practice management systems play a pivotal role in improving the overall efficiency of a practice. Previously, the only option medical facilities had for medical office software was to purchase and maintain it as an in-house technology. While software ownership cost may seem low, it does not reflect the full fees of using an in-house EHR system.

Switching to the cloud EMR Software will liberate your clinic from the burdensome hidden costs of client-server software ownership while improving the way you deliver care to your patients. The powerful cloud technology replaces traditional client-server systems and enables you to create a modern, private practice with improved clinical and financial performance.

About This Author

Amy Jackson Joined: July 9th, 2020