When concept designers first discussed developing an intelligent cloud-based electronic health record (ICEHR). They saw a system with the potential to significantly revolutionize health care delivery. An ageing population, along with fast rising healthcare expenses, threatened to bankrupt our nation’s medical infrastructure unless novel solutions devised.
At the time, there was a lot of demand to discover cost-effective solutions that would cut operational costs for medical organizations while also minimizing preventable medical errors. Another important issue for concept engineers was not only looking for ways to use technology to extend life using best-practices and evidence-based decision assistance capabilities.
Health Information Technology (HIT) has been extremely beneficial in streamlining procedures to boost productivity and directing managerial control decisions to reduce overhead expenses in recent years. Traditional EHR use is increasing, while cloud-based EHR is benefiting both patients and medical organizations.
A cloud-based EHR is a scalable, adaptable, user-friendly, and cost-effective method for storing patient health files in the cloud rather than on internal servers at a medical facility or practice. Administrators can use data mining capabilities to review work processes for strengths and weaknesses, as well as look into patient data to find behavior patterns, probable drug interactions, and health risk factors. Most web-native solutions today were create with input from medical providers, clinicians, and facility management teams.
Differences between Web-Based and Self-Managed Electronic Record Systems
The fundamental distinction is that web-native solutions do not require processes or facilities to maintain internal servers, monitor backup operations. Establish redundancy and resiliency protocols to ensure service continuity and reliable access to stored data.
A third, but equally essential, distinction is the shift in security and privacy responsibilities from medical practitioners to service providers. Cloud-based service providers are responsible for ensuring that patient files are maintain confidential and are not mix in with the information of other account holders. If a data breach or HIPPA violation occurs, the vendor held accountable for any resulting damage.
The Parallels with In-House Electronic Record Systems
In the sense that functionality and fundamental features strive to achieve the same operations, a cloud-based EHR is extremely comparable to a traditional EHR. Both systems allow for the collection of patient information, the maintenance of accurate health records, the sorting, organizing, and compilation of data into actionable information and sharable formats, and the facilitation of effective communication with medical providers, third-party payers, and patients.
What are the Advantages of a Cloud-Based System for Practices?
Aside from lowering the costs of replacing gear and software every few years. There are other advantages to contracting with a service provider.
- Automatic compliance updates ensure that your firm constantly adheres to best practices.
- Service providers are responsible for applying security updates, updating code sets, and renewing encryption certificates.
- With cloud-based EHR solutions, scaling when the practice adds new physicians, increases patient load. Adds new services is significantly easier, often needing minimum training and in-house IT staff involvement.
- Although large group practices, in-patient treatment centers, and hospitals may require dedicated IT training and support teams, many small to mid-sized practices do not need to invest heavily in building an internal technology department because reputable vendors offer 24/7 support and extensive system training.
- Drug libraries and simple decision-making tools aid in the prevention of unnecessary medical errors.
The advantages and disadvantages of a cloud-based electronic health record
Patients and doctors employ e-health applications and gadgets that are innovative, convenient, and safe. Electronic health record (EHR) systems are just one of the technologies that should use in modern clinics to provide excellent medical care. In this post, we will define EHR and show why cloud-based EHR systems are promising and secure.
What is contained in an electronic health record?
Electronic health record (EHR) systems are medical IT solutions that store a patient’s medical data. Such as disease and treatment histories, test results, descriptions of specific and chronic conditions, immunizations, ultrasound results, and x-ray images.
An electronic health record and an electronic medical record are frequently mistaken, however they are not the same thing. What is the distinction between a medical record (EMR) and a health record (EHR)? An EMR is a patient’s digital record at each hospital or doctor’s office where he or she got medical care. Whereas an EHR consolidates all of a patient’s medical data from numerous sources and organizations.
Forecasts and overview of the EHR market
Electronic health records are widely used in the United States and the European Union.
According to statistics, 96% of hospitals in Europe have used this approach. Which is comparable to the number in American medical organizations. Furthermore, this industry is expect to grow to $37.13 billion by 2025, up from $24.82 billion in 2018.
North America is predict to have the largest share of the electronic health industry and EHR software will be widely available in the European Union. With Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom leading the way.
Advantages of cloud-based EHR
Keep all medical information in one location One of the primary EHR benefits is the ability to store and retrieve all of a single patient’s medical data using a unified system. Furthermore, 63% of practitioners reported that EHR systems enabled them to greatly improve the quality of treatment and medical services provided.
Cost Cloud-based EHR clinical software, like any other cloud solution, enables hospitals to minimize development, installation, and maintenance expenses. As well as the quantity of hardware and software required.
Privacy and security: Cloud-based solutions are inherently secure. When used as part of a clinical system, they also give encryption and protection options through the use of digital signs, unique keys.
Scalability: Because it is typically delivered as Software as a Service, cloud-based EHR software is easily scalable (SaaS). According to this principle, the hospital should only pay for the capability that is utilize and only switch to advanced capabilities when necessary.
Advanced search capabilities: Electronic health records are adaptable and enable physicians to rapidly locate the information they require. A cloud-based health information system is no different.
A quick exchange and sharing: because all medical data from various hospitals and laboratories is save in one location with EHR. Cloud technology enables institutions to rapidly communicate and exchange information.
Disadvantages of cloud-based EHR
Fewer customizability options because cloud-based EHR are SaaS solutions, they are not easily customizable. If more advanced services are required, the user can switch to them.
Dependence on cloud providers: When a company decides to use the cloud to store data the entire efficiency of the system is directly dependent on the cloud’s efficiency. Backups, data security, and a speedy restart of the system after a breakdown are also the duty of the cloud provider.
The provider also controls and has access to all of the sensitive medical data. EHR data has a high black market value, and there are significant reputational concerns involve in the event of a medical data breach. That is why you must choose cloud and EHR vendors with as much care as you do which staff will have access to medical documents.
Security and privacy standards for electronic health records
There are specific prerequisites for EHR development and implementation as part of a hospital information system in order to avoid security issues. Before implementing an Electronic Health Record system, a hospital must recognize that all patient data will be save in it. As well as refer to electronic Protect Health Information (ePHI). Which must also be protect in accordance with particular regulations and standards.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) security rule outlines the standards. That clinics must adhere to while dealing with health information technology. The following are the most important.
Access has been grant: Cloud-based software offers numerous options for secure data storage and permit access. HIPAA regulations also require healthcare providers to thoroughly screen personnel who will have access to medical records and to keep their access keys confidential.
Consent of the patient: A patient should understand how his medical data is maintain and safeguard, as well as who has access to it. As a result, he or she should always be inform in advance and provide consent for data processing.
Archiving: Medical data should kept for a set period of time (which varies by nation depending on the laws in place). Then carefully erased by authorized staff to eliminate the chance of it being sold on the black market.
What to think about before converting to a cloud-based HER
The difficulties listed above are the most important factors to consider before using a cloud-based EHR solution. It is vital to carefully prepare the data that will be migrate to EHR. Assign workers who will be accountable for this process. Carefully evaluate the reputation of the cloud provider, and ensure regulatory compliance.
Conclusion
Although the advantages of electronic health records for hospitals and patients are evident, data security should always come first. As a result, it is critical to carefully select the cloud and development vendor to execute this solution for your medical facility. Bellmedex has extensive expertise developing solutions and is well-verse in the statutory requirements for such systems and data protection.
