If you work in healthcare, you are aware that when it comes to selecting an electronic health record (EHR) system, providers have two options. The first option is for them to host the programmer on their own network (client-server). The second option is to use an EHR system in which the software is host on a remote server that is accessible over the internet (cloud-based). While both of these systems offer considerable improvements over paper records, cloud based EHR software are superior because they provide significantly more benefits to small practices than the client-server approach. Let’s look at some of the IT benefits that cloud based EHR provide.
Reduce Starting Cost with Cloud Based HER
Setting up a client-server EHR system is a substantial financial barrier for a small business. Startup expenditures for a single practice can exceed $40,000 in some cases. That is a significant portion of the revenue for a typical three-doctor practice. Losing that could cripple the practice and even cause it to close its doors.
This would not be an issue with a cloud-based EHR system because practices would benefit from economies of scale. Furthermore, because the providers and workflows are added to the cloud rather than the client-server (which requires being on location), the procedure is straightforward and easy, which means that duplicated expenses are avoided or removed.
Low Infrastructure Cost
Client and server EHRs would necessitate the practice purchasing or leasing costly technology. Hardware that needs to be regularly monitored and updated. So practices would now have to hire or pay for IT experts to set up, conduct tests, maintain functions, and upgrade the gear and software so that it does not fall behind current standards and cause complications.
The EHR provider or hosting firm covers all of the system’s operating costs with a cloud-based EHR. Other than the normal equipment setup required to run a medical billing company, the practice has no hardware, network, or maintenance fees.
Cloud Based EHR Simple Cost Predictability
The costs of a client-server system may be unpredictable. As previously stated, if the server crashes or an upgrade fails, the practice’s emergency fund would suffer, or worse, patients may lose their data, which will have a serious negative impact on them. Look at this blog for an illustration of how a lack of consistent patient records can lead to disaster: (link).
Cloud-based EHR solutions have consistent expenses, giving the practice and its decision maker confidence in their financial estimates. The practice would not have to deal with a seesaw payment model; instead, they would pay a monthly or quarterly access charge.
Scalability and Implementation
The process of setting up and testing a client-server EHR, like the maintenance procedure outlined above, is very difficult, much more so than cloud-based solutions, and scaling up as your practice grows usually necessitates more equipment or license expenditures.
All that is necessary for a cloud-based EHR is that practice workers access the system via a secure web site or client software installed on their PC. Adding extra users is as simple as contacting the EHR vendor and asking the process.
Better Patient Data Security
Although insurance would pay new equipment, as previously said, patient data is irreplaceable. While most practices using client-server EHRs include off-site backups, the data is still insecure during transfer. The business must incur additional storage fees. Cloud-based EHR records are securely encrypt and automatically backed up in numerous places, all at no extra cost. This implies that the patient data kept secure and out of the reach of prying eyes. The patient data will not be lost because it is back up on the cloud. A fire, flood, or other natural disaster has no effect on patient data.
Overall, there isn’t much negative to say about cloud-based EHRs. There are no compelling reasons why paper records or client-server EHRs are superior to cloud-based EHRs. The strategy has shown to be beneficial, and it is employ in our EHR system, which is use globally. We may be able to assist you if you are actively looking for or just casually browsing for an EHR system that can match the specifications outline in this article. As well as be load with a myriad of other capabilities. Click here to swipe right on us and let’s see whether we’re a fit.
