Oncology/Hematology EMR Software Solution

EMR software occupies a vital position to improve the delivery of oncological care. The robust system is specifically designed to collect accurate data to support the provider’s decision-making and future cancer research.

A generic software will not be the best fit for an oncology practice. So oncologists looking to enhance cancer care, and streamline daily workflows should deploy an Oncology/Hematology EMR Software. The fully integrated technology is set to empower quality care delivery in the challenging oncology environment.

Functionalities offered by Oncology EHR

The oncology ecosystem is highly complex. Oncologists require a software solution with specific features to support patient care and enable oncology practices to thrive.

Let’s look into the important features that help with oncology care and meet both clinical and administrative requirements.

• The effective capture and management of patient information including demographic, and clinical data.
• Clinical Decision Support (CDS) tools and scheduling for chemotherapy prescription and administration.
•  ONC-ATCB certification.
• Provider note templates.
• Trial drug management.
• Safety alerts.
• Automated dosage calculation.
• Advanced reporting and analytics.
• Comprehensive patient engagement tools.

Integrated EMR Software for Effective Cancer Management

An integrated software solution is the best way to bridge any gaps in cancer care and make way for efficient care delivery vital to improving health outcome levels.  Moreover, an integrated EHR system can positively influence the clinical and billing processes of an oncology practice.

Support Care Coordination and Bridge Gaps between Care Settings

A cancer patient can go through transitions between different care environments such as long-term care, ambulatory, and acute care settings. An integrated electronic medical records solution ensures that everyone involved in the patient’s care delivery process has seamless and secure access to a patient’s entire health history and information.

Streamline Complex Care

Integrated EHR technology offers additional tools which can simplify care to manage difficult treatment regimens. Customized flow sheets based on the patient’s diagnosis, and flexible data summaries with key patient information can help oncologists to simplify cancer care and ensure to offer satisfying patient care.

Improve patient safety levels

By providing real-time information on drug interactions, allergies, and dose requirements, EHRs can assist to prevent medication errors. This improves patient safety and lowers the chance of adverse medication effects.

Moving Ahead

To sum it all up, EHRs in oncology care increase communication, streamline workflows, enable data-driven decisions, and ultimately improve patient outcomes and care quality.

With July being the sarcoma and bone cancer awareness month, we hope that those fighting this deadly disease overcome it with amazing strength from within and support from family and caregivers. Remember that cancer is not stronger than you!

Small practices and open-source software

Potential buyers may need to get a license agreement from the original creator. The good point is that the open-source code is often free of cost but the practices may need to hire software developers for seamless EMR software design, implementation, and training. Small providers that have a tech-savvy team and have access to software consultants usually go for an open-source EMR software solution. The open-source EHR software systems should be ONC-ATCB certified and also include the functionalities of Practice Management (PM) Software and offer billing and scheduling solutions to its users.

When to go for an open-source EMR software solution?

Open-source electronic medical records software is best suitable for a small medical set-up with the following three possibilities and opportunities.

• Want a great deal of customization
• Require advanced functionality and features for the medical practice
• There is a software developer or consultant to help your practice

How to select the open-source EMR software vendor in 5 easy steps?

1. The practice must be aware of the functionalities that are critical for success. Practices need to consider a software solution that meets practice requirements.
2.  Staff workflow should be kept in mind so the implementation process is much smoother. For example, your staff may want extra customization options when it comes to charting templates. Open-source software options will allow a great deal of customization and will be easier if there is a software consultant on board.
3.  Make a list of vendors that are preferred by a practice. The shortlisted list will guide you through the decision-making process. If a provider is confused then assistance can be taken from expert medical advisors and teams to narrow down options.
4. Support the decision-making process by viewing product demos and reading authentic customer reviews. Real user reviews will give a chance to know how users feel about the software system regarding functionality, ease of use, and training options. By requesting software demos as a potential buyer one can have a window of opportunity to see how the software system works and then be a better judge of the product.
5. In the case of an open-source EMR software system, buyers would have to contact and speak with software consultants who will help the practice implement the system.

Feature check-list for Open-Source EHR Software System

• Medical Billing
• Scheduling Tools
• E-Prescribing(e-Rx)
• CMS Reporting
• Lab Integration
• HIPAA Compliance for advanced security

Primary Benefits of deploying open source software

• Free support is available in the form of forums, live chats, and newsgroups.
• An open-source EHR system offers better security as compared to proprietary systems.
• Open-source software vendors provide free versions for users to be downloaded.
• Enhanced interoperability options to support a seamless share of data.

Moving Ahead

A good open-source EMR software will offer ONC-ATCB certification and will be a feature-rich software to streamline daily administrative, financial, and clinical workflows. An open-source EMR solution can either offer on-premise or cloud-based solutions. Now small practices don’t have to worry about spending an arm and leg to receive healthcare technology solutions to enhance their workflow operations.

What is an open-source EMR software system?

Open-source EMR software systems act as a layout that allows users to build their own electronic records software systems. Practices can easily download the software source code and then customize it according to their practice needs and specifications to meet daily workflow requirements. Potential buyers may need to get a license agreement from the original creator. The good point is that the open-source code is often free of cost but the practices may need to hire software developers for seamless EMR software design, implementation, and training. Small providers that have a tech-savvy team and have access to software consultants usually go for an open-source EMR software solution. The open-source EMR software systems should be ONC-ATCB certified and also include the functionalities of Practice Management software and offer billing and scheduling solutions to its users.

When to go for an open-source EMR software solution?

If you are a small medical set-up with the following three possibilities and opportunities then you should go for an open-source EMR software system.

• Want a great deal of customization
• Require advanced functionality and features for your practice
• There is a software developer or consultant to help your practice

How to select your open-source EMR software vendor in 5 easy steps?

1. You must be aware of the functionalities that are important for your practice. You need to consider a software solution that meets and fits your needs.
2. Consider your staff’s workflow so the implementation process is much smoother. For example, your staff may want extra customization options when it comes to chart templates. Open-source software options will allow a great deal of customization and will be easier if you have a software consultant.
3.  Make a list of vendors that are preferred by your practice. The shortlisted list will guide you through your decision-making process. If you are confused you can also get assistance from expert medical advisors and teams to narrow down your options.
4. Support your decision-making process by viewing product demos and reading authentic customer reviews. Real user reviews will give you a chance to know how users feel about the software system in regards to functionality, ease of use, and training options. By requesting software demos as a potential buyer you can have a window of opportunity to see how the software system works and then be a better judge of the product.
5. In the case of an open-source EMR software system, buyers would have to contact and speak with software consultants who will help your practice implement the system.

Feature check-list for Open-Source EMR Software System

• Medical Billing
• Scheduling Tools
• E-Prescribing(e-Rx)
• CMS Reporting
• Lab Integration
• HIPAA Compliance for advanced security

Moving Ahead

A good open-source EMR software will offer ONC-ATCB certification and will be a feature-rich software solution to streamline daily administrative, financial, and clinical workflows. An open-source EMR solution can either offer on-premise or cloud-based solutions. Now small practices don’t have to worry about spending an arm and leg to receive healthcare software solutions to enhance their workflow operations.

Make sure you get the most out of your investment by following these tips and suggestions that will make your selection process fruitful. There are certain considerations and questions you need to keep in mind to help ensure that you make the right EMR software purchase to maximize the benefits of cost-efficiency and reduction in manual errors.

Key Considerations for your Practice

Do you have Practice Management (PM) Software?

If you already have an existing Practice Management (PM) software system you need to make sure that the Electronic Medical Records software you are going to purchase seamlessly integrates with your PM software to give optimum efficiency. If you don’t have Practice Management software then the EMR software must offer Practice Management and hospital management functionalities. After all, you don’t want to end up spending more by purchasing a separate Practice Management and EMR software.

What functionalities and features are vital for you?

You must know which features and tools are important for you and your practice. First, make a list of the functionalities that are required to make sure no feature is missed out when you make your actual EMR software purchase. Make a features checklist that is important for you and your nurses to take care of patients. Charting, note-taking, diagnostics, patient engagement, task management, medication management, and order management are the necessary tools you should look for in your potential Electronic Medical Records (EMR) software purchase.

Interoperability should be a must-have feature in your EHR software choice

Data exchange and interoperability are crucial in choosing the right Electronic Health Records software solution. EHR Software solutions that are interoperable helps to cut down costs and paperwork and make it possible to easily share data and records between systems which ultimately enhances care coordination and improves health outcome vendors. Select an EMR software vendor that offers interoperability options for your practice.

Do you want specialty-specific software for your practice?

It is important to know which EMR software would work for your practice. A generic EMR software might lack the functionalities for your unique practice needs. For example, if you are a behavioral health practitioner you might want to go for specialty specify EHR software that has tools designed for your needs. For example, you will need the features of intake forms and in-built mental health templates to simplify the charting procedure.

Make sure the EMR software system is ONC-ATCB Certified 

This is one of the most crucial considerations to make before selecting an EHR software solution for your practice. CCHIT and ONC-ATCB Certification ensures end-to-end encryption and protection of sensitive patient data that will be exchanged. Privacy comes first and your software vendor should be certified to ensure Meaningful Use.

Final Thoughts

You don’t have to rush into your EMR Software purchase because it’s a big investment. Make sure you consider the above-mentioned tips and conduct research before the actual purchase. You can even ask your fellow practitioners about their experiences with the potential EHR software system they are using which you plan to buy. Do all your homework and you will be in a confident position to choose the right software system for your practice. Good luck!

The patient portals are here to offer so much more to patients making them feel satisfied throughout their treatment journey. Patient portal platforms can drive patient engagement, patient satisfaction, loyalty and retention, and even health outcome levels. The Patient Portal EMR Software system is HIPAA Compliant which provides a seamless and safe bridge of communication between the patient and the clinician. Research conducted by the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology reveals that patients appreciate the convenient access to their medical records.

Reasons to deploy a Patient Portal EMR Software system?

Reason 1 Enhancing the patient care process

The patient portals are synchronized with Electronic Medical Records (EMR) Software systems which provide the most accurate and up-to-date information to both providers and patients and that too in real-time. Resources that can be viewed on the portal include treatment plans, complete medication lists, and the health status of the patient. Through the portal, the patients can also fill out online in-take forms and complete any additional required information which is required from the hospitals. By filling in-take forms digitally from their homes patients need not waste time in the waiting rooms and can quickly see their doctor. Any information regarding allergies, insurance, or medical history that is updated in the EHR software systems is automatically informed and changed in the patient portal software system.

 Reason 2 Harmonizing costs

Today’s patients are ready to use online services due to convenience. The increasing use of patient portal EMR software solutions amongst patients has helped to decrease the number of time and money spent on calls related to scheduling, re-scheduling, getting lab results, and getting details about treatment plans. Staffing costs can go down related to patient scheduling as the portal can handle them efficiently.

Reason 3 Improving communication and services

The patient portal platform provides a secure and protected way for patients to communicate with their doctor without having to worry about their sensitive information getting breached. They can communicate anytime via instant messaging which makes them feel involved throughout their treatment process. Some patients don’t feel comfortable interacting one on one with the nurse so this platform provides an opportunity for patients to ask away any questions about their health and treatment without getting uncomfortable and can receive a prompt reply from their healthcare provider.

Reason 4 Streamlined workflows

The patient portal service encourages streamlined procedures and boosts coordinated care. Patients have control over their health with all relevant and updated information at their hands. This information is also important for doctors in cases of chronic disease management and mental disorders. The patient portal EMR software also decreases duplication of information, and tests.

Moving head

Patient portals make patients feel empowered and on top of their healthcare journey which is important to enhance outcome levels. Quick access to patient information 24/7 keeps patients satisfied and they can also share this information with their family members. Portals are powerful systems that keep patients engaged and improves patient-physician relationships by asking and answering important questions about patient’s health information. By deploying this powerful platform practices can develop a strong link with their patients amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and bring value to their care delivery process.

How common is the issue of claims denial and rejections?

An American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) report, revealed that claims rejections in the healthcare industry have an average between 5-10%. Claim denial and rejection is one of the major financial trials faced by every hospital system which can be caused by the minutest of coding errors. To avoid such billing errors clinics deploy a Billing Services EMR Software solution.

3 Strategies to prevent claims denial and rejection

According to a  2014 Advisory Board study, 90% of claims denial can be easily prevented by making a few alterations in the way claims are handled and this is linked to effective management of the Revenue Cycle Management process.

1. Prevention– It is advised that the financial management should be focused to prevent claims denial as to avoid managing denials later. The management should consider different ways in which RCM can be optimized to reduce any probability of financial errors.
2. Automation– automation and digital workflow can save time and money by reducing administrative costs. Practices can deploy a Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) software solution to reduce manual errors and enhance workflow efficiency by identifying improvement opportunities across the revenue cycle which can ultimately give you fruitful financial gains. By automation, claims processing can be optimized and greater revenue can be captured.
3. Integration – The claims management process should be streamlined proving easy access to real-time analytics. The valuable data from analytic tools help to avoid the issue of denied claims and coding issues.

Final Takeaway

If your medical practice hasn’t automated its financial processes then they should not wait out. Make sure that when you make your final software purchase it is ONC-ATCB certified. The RCM Software vendor should offer the right features and tools such as; claims management, claim to scrub, and compliance with ICD-10, processing of medical payments, and accounts receivable management. Software technology solutions help to support the smooth running of revenue cycle management processes which can get you faster payments and be great for your financial health.

Telemedicine EMR Software is the use of digital technologies to provide a virtual platform that links up doctors and patients effectively. Conditions can be assessed, treated, and diagnosed over virtual appointments, two-way communications through desktop and smartphone devices.

Telemedicine is a perfect platform for patients to receive care remotely. Dermatologists can easily examine skin conditions and also physiologists can give sessions to patients via virtual meetings. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic Healthcare specialists and primary care physicians rapidly provided their healthcare services through virtual sessions to safely provide timely treatment and diagnosis to patients from the comfort of their homes.

Since the last decade telemedicine EMR Software technology has been adopted by many health care providers in the United States to improve patient access and reduce the cost of care.

Increasing Patient Access and Reach through Telemedicine EMR Software Model

Telehealth is used as a robust tool to help provide access to patients outside of clinical and hospital settings. Quality and timely care is crucial for certain patients especially those dealing with mental health issues and chronic conditions like skin allergies, rashes, and pediatric consults for sudden fever, flu, and cold symptoms in infants. The telemedicine software can also be used to provide ongoing treatment to patients with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, blood pressure, and asthma. Telehealth Electronic Medical Records software solution offers HD video calls, a secure two-way chat module, and voice messaging to enhance patient outcomes and reach.

Real-time video telemedicine sessions enable patients to schedule appointments from the convenience of their home and workplace to receive on-time care using smartphone devices, tablets, or computer desktops. Patients are sent an appointment confirmation to meet with their health care provider on a live video session. On-demand care is provided through telemedicine platform as patients have a larger access to health care providers who can provide care via video chat and two-way messaging facility.

Telemedicine EMR Software solutions can be used for care transitions and post-acute care. For example, tablet devices are used to link patients and their families to the inpatient care team through telehealth calls. This has increased patient satisfaction levels and patient engagement

Final Thoughts

We know that there are a physician and care provider shortage and telemedicine technology can help to expand care to patients. The tool can be effectively used to reach patients living in rural areas who don’t have access to medical facilities and reaching more patients to improve patient satisfaction scores. Doctors through the help of telemedicine can see larger patient populations in a single day. If your practice wants to increase their patient access during these trying times then this is the right time to deploy a telemedicine solution. Our Software experts have listed down the top 3 telemedicine EMR software vendors that offer complete functionality, ease of use, cost advantages, and proactive customer support to their users.

1. athenahealth EMR Software
2. AdvancedMD EMR Software
3. drchrono EMR Software

Why is data analytics important in the healthcare sector?

An article published in Becker’s Hospital Review in the year 2018 revealed that healthcare organizations that make use of data analytics in their decision making have five to six percent higher productivity and output in contrast to other organizations.

To make maximum use of data analytics you need to reflect over the following critical questions,

• Does your organization have all the right tools to capture data that will support your decision-making? To build a strong analytics program your organization should use the right tools which will help to capture meaningful data. These tools may include, a claim-based analytics system or an electronic medical record-based analytic module.
• Does your healthcare organization have individuals who can use the captured data in meaningful ways to bring about true value through insights? Access must be provided to different people in the organization to the type of data. For instance, there should be members who keep track of how the new appointment reminder system is helping to curb the issue of patient no-shows and staff members who evaluate trends in readmission rates in certain populations.
• Is data a major goal and philosophy of your healthcare organization? Using data as a vital part of your hospital culture will instill this value in all of your healthcare team members. Once everyone is driven to use insights from data analytics and track performance goals patient outcomes will also improve.

Examples of data analytics in healthcare

Data analytics provides an opportunity for professionals to gather medical data easily and also convert it into valuable insights to provide enhanced care services to their patients. Below are some examples of how the power of data analytics is leveraged to accelerate and improve patient treatment.

• EMR Software systems – Electronic Medical Records (EMR) software solutions are the most prevalent implication of big data in the US healthcare sector. 94% of hospitals in the United States are using EHR software systems to optimize their workflows. Through completely automating clinical, financial, and administrative tasks patient outcomes can enhance and also help save costs by reducing lab tests and clinic visits.
• Wearable health devices – Many patients are utilizing wearable health devices to track and monitor their health and wellness routines daily. This keeps patients empowered and they as a result feel on top of their healthcare journey. Through these wearable health devices, health trends can be tracked and the patient can upload their health developments in the cloud for their doctor to discern them. The robust devices help to reduce hospital admission rates and also enhances patient engagement.
• Predictive analytics – Predictive analytics tools can be used to streamline and improve the overall patient care delivery and process by identifying early signs of patient worsening conditions in the ICU. Predictive analytics aims to prepare clinicians beforehand for adverse outcomes so they can be prevented on time. Predictive analytics uses Artificial Intelligence to support the physician’s decision-making process.

Bottom Line

Data analytics helps to turn data into powerful and meaningful insights to facilitate the patient treatment and care process. Hospitals and clinics that are using data analytics have seen improvements in patient outcome levels and offer possibilities to enhance on-going patient care. With data and professionals in sync – The world can change for the better.

Behavioral health services are extremely important for patients’ overall well-being. Operating a mental health practice can be challenging and mental healthcare providers can grow and practice seamlessly by opting for practice automation.

The software selection process can be confusing but we have you sorted out

In the technologically advanced healthcare sector, many software vendors are catering to mental health and behavioral health practice. Providers may get overwhelmed with the number of software vendor choices and may not know how to cut down on their potential vendor’s list. You don’t have to worry as we will help you guide you through the selection process by highlighting what you need to focus on.

Your final decision should be based on the following 4 key components

These are the basic and the crucial aspects you should look for when selecting a software vendor for your behavioral health practice.

1. Functionality – As a potential buyer you should make a list of the key tools you need for your practice automation. Your software vendor should offer all the features you need today to easily grow in the future. The software should provide interoperability opportunities so data can be shared easily for care coordination and improved care to the patient. It should have features of customized templates, workflow management, GAF charts, and ICD/CPT codes for mental health to make billing precise and accurate.
2. Data sharing – Data sharing and transfer is highly important for your mental health practice as it supports continuity in care and eliminates any chances of errors which can have a positive impact on patient outcome levels. By data sharing, providers can collaborate with other providers to decide on the best treatment path for the patient.
3. Cloud-based software system – The system design should be cloud-based software system as it allows the flexibility for the provider and the staff members to have access to data round the clock via their smartphones. By having information at their fingertips the doctor can provide the best care to their patients.
4. Certification – It makes sense that you go for a software system that is certified. A behavioral health EMR software system should be ONC-ATCB certified which makes sure that the vendor meets all Meaningful Use objectives and the platform is HIPAA Compliant for maximum data privacy and security.

Moving ahead

The right software choice can help your practice provide better patient care as billing services are also automated and provider and patient communication is enhanced with the help of the patient portal platform in your EHR software system. Mental health patients have a desire to stay in touch with their therapist and the patient portal service exactly does this, patients can message their provider anytime without having to worry about their confidential information is at stake. Here are our top-picks for mental and behavioral health EMR software, our software professionals have selected them in terms of functionality, ease of use, software design, and compatibility.

1. InSync EHR Software
2. Valant EHR Software
3. athenahealth EMR Software
4. AdvancedMD EMR Software

Furthermore, some EMR software systems offer robust tools of scheduling which takes off the load and pressure of medical staff members and also keeps patients satisfied with reduced patient wait times in the doctor’s office. The IT experts at EMRSystems have consolidated a list of best cloud-based EHR software options that are user-friendly and provide the right set of tools and features for physicians who have a demanding schedule.

The best EMR software options to consider

1. Kareo Clinical EMR Software – Kareo Clinical offers solutions for Practice Management (PM) software and medical billing for its users. The EHR software system provides robust functionalities of patient scheduling, appointment management, reporting, analytics, and customized dashboards. The software is ONC-ATCB certified for meaningful use and is suitable for small to medium-sized practice set-ups. The software system can be customized according to individual needs. The best part of the software is that users find it easy to use and you can access patient records from any device without any hitches.
2. Practice Fusion EMR Software – The EMR software system is HIPAA Compliant and ICD-10 ready. It offers lab and image integration and voice recognition features. Busy clinicians can spend less time charting with the help of a voice recognition tool the tedious charting process is simplified and clinicians can focus on what they love to do which is taking care of their patients. Users say that the software system is intuitive and easy to learn and use and clinicians don’t have to bother about updates to the software as they are made automatically which keeps the system up to mark.
3. Praxis EMR Software – Praxis EMR software system uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology called Concept Processing rather than templates. It has powerful features for its users such as e-Prescribing (e-Rx), charting tools, patient scheduling, and voice recognition. The software system is ONC-ATCB Certified and is highly customizable to specific specialties.
4. PrognoCIS EMR Software – The completely integrated solution offers Practice Management (PM) software and medical billing which helps to streamline financial processes. It has tools like the patient portal, appointment management, and e-Prescribing. The EMR software system is suitable for practice sizes of all set-ups and provides remote access to its users which makes it possible for doctors to stay connected round the clock from their smartphones and tablets. Users also appreciate the highly responsive customer support staff.

Conclusion-

The above-mentioned cloud-based software options are specialty-specific with charting templates related to their medical specialty which lets the physician spend less time sorting through features they don’t require and spend more time with the patient. Furthermore, physician efficiency will also increase with the functionalities offered and the intuitiveness of each software system. We hope that the list has narrowed down your cloud-based EMR software list and will land you on to the best software solution for your medical practice.