Top Urgent Care EMR Software Buyer’s Guide
The Ultimate Guide to Urgent Care EMR Software
Physicians in urgent care centers face heavy workflows every day. Urgent care EHR software helps practitioners manage this workflow efficiently and quickly through healthcare automation. Electronic Health Records (EHR) software should have all the streamlined features required to make the workflow smooth. The software should also have customization features and templates that are feature-specific.
Urgent Care EMR Software
All the various features that can help physicians improve the patient experience and provide better treatment should be integrated with the health record software. Urgent care electronic health records (EHR) software needs to offer interoperability options to increase the level of efficiency in urgent care clinics.
Key Features of Urgent Care EHR Software
To get a better understanding of how the software works, it is advisable to know about the various features and functionalities of the software. Before choosing Urgent Care Electronic Medical Records software, we should check whether the software has the following key features:
Patient intake forms
A patient intake form is used to simplify the patient check-in process and save time at the hospital facility. Urgent care EMR software should include these forms to provide primary healthcare services to patients. It is also used to track time spent by patients in clinics.
SOAP Note Templates
A customized urgent care SOAP note template should be added to the electronic medical record (EMR) software. These templates will improve the workflow required by the facility and ensure better healthcare delivery.
Interface for medical equipment
Integration with appropriate suite of diagnostic tools and equipment should be readily available in healthcare facilities. This should include lab results, Holter monitors, EKGs, X-rays, etc.
Electronic prescriptions
Urgent care electronic health records (EHR) software should be able to record and send e-prescriptions directly to other practices and pharmacies according to the patient’s preferred locations. This reduces paperwork and chances of errors and saves a lot of time.
E&M billing assistance
Electronic medical records software must provide urgent care E&M billing support to automate urgent care billing. This will facilitate billing to a variety of payers, including employers, workers’ compensation claims, group health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid and self-pay.
EHR Software
Features to look for in an EHR Software
| Electronic medical records | Electronic health records software (EHR) is software that assists in developing and storing patient medical records digitally. This unique system assists physicians in tracking patient histories, notes, medications, and demographics. The most popular features of EHR software include e-prescribing, E&M coding advice, and SOAP notes. Quality Electronic Health Records Software (EHR) also offers lab integration, voice recognition, tablet support, and device integration. |
| Medical billing medical | Medical billing modules or Medical Billing software manage the development of patient statements and submission of insurance claims. Key functions of such systems include claim scrubbing, e-claim submission, coding, payment posting, eligibility inquiry, and reporting. |
| Patient scheduling this | This module is designed to automate the entire process of scheduling patient appointments. Core features of a good patient scheduling module may include sending reminders through phone, text message, and email, automated follow–ups, and multi–location support. Such modules are usually offered along with a billing module in a practice management software suite. |
| Radiology information systems | A radio information system (RIS) manages the workflow and operations of radiology imaging centers or large medical practices having radiology imaging departments. Such EHR Software or modules automate the entire process of storing, operating, and distributing patient medical images and related data. |
| Picture archiving and communications systems PACS | PACS is designed to manage, store and retrieve DICOM images. Such systems are often used in combination with a RIS (Radio Information System) to perform the radiology workflow proficiently. |
| Medical accounting | The term Medical accounting refers to a system designed to automate accounting processes for medical practices. Major functions of such systems include general ledger, A/P, A/R, and financial reporting. |
What you need to know about an EMR Software
Today more than 600 companies offer EHR/EMR and practice management software and with this increasing competition choosing the right electronic medical record software or practice management software is always a very difficult choice. EMRFinder understands your problem and provides a complete and comprehensive list of potential specialty-specific EMR software suitable for your practice needs.
There are several things to consider when considering switching or starting to use your current electronic health records software (EHR software). This buyer’s guide covers every necessary aspect to consider before making a final decision.
The term EMR software or EHR software (Electronic Health Records) basically refers to the electronic documentation and maintenance of medical records for patients through a computer or mobile device. EHR software essentially improves the efficiency of practices and helps in more accurate documentation of encounters resulting in improved profitability. Its utility has been recognized and became part of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) in 2004.
Read Also: Best Bank Bonuses of January 2023
EMR software benefits
In addition to financial profitability, practices see the following benefits of using EHR/EMR software:
- Improve practice efficiency
- Streamlined administrative functions
- Improved profitability and revenue cycle (medical billing services)
- Improved patient engagement (via patient portal)
- A reduction in fixed costs
- Improved collection due to more organized claims
- Automated alerts and reminders help patients return to the office when necessary and notify the practice of any potential risk.
- Enhanced security and safety (cloud storage and back-ups) – cloud-based EMR software
EMR software by specialty
Specialty-specific software enables physicians and other medical professionals to store detailed clinical information, such as demographics, medical history, social history, lab reports, etc.
Specialty-specific EMR software or EHR software must be highly customizable for unique style and documentation requirements because all medical practices have specific needs based on background and medical specialty. For example, pain management or dermatology specific EMR software should include the ability to store before/after photos and annotate images. Likewise, specialties such as pediatrics, oncology, podiatry, ophthalmology, neurology, nephrology, dialysis centers, rheumatology and chiropractic care need their unique features to facilitate adoption.
EMR Software by Practice Size
Because of the extensive adaptability required, not every EMR software is right for every practice. EMR software designed for hospitals or multi-provider clinics does not necessarily support solo or small practices. So what are the factors that will make an EHR software vendor viable for your medical practice?
From solos to large providers and multi-specialty clinics, each practice has its unique set of challenges that must be addressed by an electronic medical records (EMR) software vendor, some of which are listed below.
Small or solo provider practices
A small or solo practice with small office space and a limited number of staff members is usually lower in budget than a larger practice. Due to these constraints, many providers simply opt for cloud-based EMR software and employ free EMR software or choose an affordable EHR software vendor with a low fixed monthly fee.
Medium sized transactions
Often affiliated with the same medical specialty, mid-sized practices need specialized features such as interoperability, dedicated customer support, multi-device support, as well as comprehensive reporting functionality to monitor the practice’s overall performance, because of their budget. But comparatively large.
Big practices
Large medical practices typically offer medical services that fall under various medical specialties (eg, orthopedics, pain management, surgery, chiropractic medicine, family medicine, etc.). Consisting of fifteen to twenty medical providers, these practices often require support for multiple users to access systems simultaneously. Scheduling software and a scalable solution to accommodate multiple locations, providers and resources such as dialysis chairs, procedure room allocation, etc. are also requirements of large practices.
hospitals or enterprise organizations
Hospitals or enterprise organizations have the most extensive list of requirements, usually documented in the form of an RFI or RFP, and may evaluate vendors that can meet them.
Hospitals or enterprises are often the target market for EMR software companies such as AthenaHealth, McKesson, Epic, Cerner, eClinicalWorks, Allscripts, NextGen, Druchrono, and Meditech, etc., and they typically provide ideal EHR software solutions for large corporations, such as ACOs. PCMH, IPAs, CINs (Clinically Integrated Networks), and Public Health Departments, etc.
These EMR software companies usually offer features such as integration with multiple other software and medical devices, inventory management modules, interfaces with local labs (LIS), machines and diagnostics. Tools with medication dispensing (pharmacy management software) and electronic medication administration record (EMAR). , etc
Market Trends to Be Aware Of
The EHR industry, like everything else, goes through constant changes all the time. Whether it’s new innovations or updates in technology, or changes in legalities, the EMR industry is always changing. Following is a list of such changes that you should keep track of.
Cloud-Based Services
A recent study shows that only 25% of the physicians have shown interest in the web-based EHR software systems and only 50% have adopted it as an initial model that will ultimately transit to cloud-based software. The cloud-based EMR software cuts down the costs of having and maintaining all the hardware and client servers. It can be hosted on any device which has a web browser. That is why the healthcare software vendors are switching to cloud-based EHR software.
Meaningful Use or MACRA
Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) of 2015 (previously known as Meaningful Use) created the Quality Payment Program that:
- Repeals the sustainable growth rate formula
- Changes the way that Medicare pays physicians for value over volume
- Streamlines multiple quality programs under the new Merit-Based Incentive Payments System (MIPS)
- Awards extra payments for participation in eligible alternative payment models (APMs)
athenaOne Powerful Medical App Loved by Doctors
Launched by athenahealth EHR Software, athenaOne was recently crowned as the top-ranked US medical app for Apple users. The award and acclamation is due to the many benefits and convenience athenaOne provides to its users through its robust set of tools and features. Not only this, but the app is also favored by healthcare providers all around the US because it has an easy to use and intuitive interface helping practices beat industry benchmarks.
Doctors have noticed quicker workflows and have enabled them to place orders and finish notes quickly. athenaOne has got a 5-star rating and has witnessed an increase in download by the users which reflects that the app is powerful enough to support healthcare providers through their stressful day!
Your article helped me a lot, thanks for the information. I also like your blog theme, can you tell me how you did it?
I read your article carefully, it helped me a lot, I hope to see more related articles in the future. thanks for sharing.
Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I’ve really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!