Must Consider Measures for Developing Custom EHR

Electronic health records systems become the cornerstone to the delivery of better quality care and enhance providers’ workflow efficiency. By 2025, the global Electronic Health Records industry is estimated to produce $30.1 billion in sales. This is a continuation of the market’s constant expansion, which has averaged a compound annual growth rate of 5.4%.

The growing market highlights the critical need for developing and implementing EHR systems for healthcare practices. But more than just a general EHR system, a customized EHR personalized for specific practice workflow is important for maximum benefits. 

While developing Custom EHR, a few critical measures need to be considered. In this blog post, we have shared some of the critical measures to consider while developing a Custom EHR system.

What is Custom EHR?

Custom EHR is a tailored system that meets the unique needs of specific practices. Each healthcare practice has specific needs and requirements. General EHR systems offer general solutions and fail to meet the requirements of practices, while custom EHR adapts to specific practice workflow. 

For instance, behavioral health practice has a workflow that completely differs from other specialties. Custom EHR adapts to the behavioral health practice workflow by offering solutions like: 

• Specialized Assessment Tools
• Integration with Mental Health Apps
• Compliance with Mental Health Standards, and more

By offering personalized solutions, Custom EHR enhances behavioral health practice workflow efficiency. Custom EHRs offer flexibility, allowing doctors to align technology with unique aims.

• Custom EHRs include functions that are customized to the practice and improve usability.
• They connect smoothly with existing operations to reduce existing workflow disruptions.
• Custom EHR systems can expand with the practice and accommodate changes in healthcare delivery.
• It frequently necessitates larger initial investments and development time but results in long-term efficiency improvements.

Related: How Custom EHR Improves Patient Outcomes and Physician Workflow

Why Custom EHR Solutions are a Better Choice

Custom EHR offers many advantages for practices than general EHR does:

• Tailored Functionality: They are developed to meet the specific needs of the organization which includes unique workflows and specialities.
• Scalability: Custom EHRs can grow with the organization by adding new features and integrating with future technologies as needed.
• Enhanced Integration: They can be smoothly connected with current systems like laboratory information systems, billing software, and other healthcare applications.
• Improved User Satisfaction: By understanding users’ requirements and preferences, custom EHRs can lead to higher levels of satisfaction among healthcare practitioners.

In particular, while 96% of non-federal acute care hospitals in the United States have embraced certified EHRs, a 2022 KLAS survey indicated that the greatest satisfaction score among organizations was just 40%, showing areas for development that tailored solutions can address.

11 Must Consider Measures for Developing Custom EHR

1. Understanding Stakeholder Needs

While developing EHR, practice must consult with all stakeholders to understand their needs.

• Stakeholders include healthcare providers, clinical staff members, administrative staff, and information technology personnel.
• Because each stakeholder has distinct requirements and workflow.
• Understanding their requirements to ensure that Custom EHR fits their process.
• How can practices identify stakeholder needs? Consider doing a full needs assessment using interviews, questionnaires, and workshops.

This will aid in understanding and gathering varied opinions. Understand the problems, complications, and manual processes that can be streamlined and automated. It will help to ensure that the EHR system meets the unique needs and problems of each group.

2. Regulatory and Compliance Considerations

When it comes to health technology solutions, it is critical to ensure legal and regulatory compliance. Because health-tech systems, such as EHRs, include sensitive patient information.

So, while designing Custom EHR, make sure to adhere to the appropriate criteria.

This includes adherence to data protection laws such as HIPAA in the United States and GDPR in Europe. Furthermore, procedures should assure compliance with healthcare standards such as FHIR and HL7 to facilitate health interoperability between systems. 

3. User-Centric Design Principles

A lack of user-centric design always confuses and makes it more difficult for users to interact with the EHR system. To support effective adoption, make the Custom EHR interface user-friendly.

Collect end-user feedback and conduct usability testing to assist create an intuitive interface that aligns with their workflow. This method: 

• Shortens the learning curve 
• Reduces resistance to change 
• Facilitates the acceptance of the EHR system
• Reduce frustration for users

4. Advanced Interoperability and Data Integration

Integration of EHR with other existing healthcare systems is critical. This includes connecting with laboratory systems, billing software, and other clinical applications.

While developing Custom EHR, make sure to standardize data format and APIs for smoother communication between healthcare systems and seamless data exchange. 

For example, lab results should automatically be updated in the patient’s record. This will eliminate the need for manually entering data in EHR systems.

5. Scalability and Performance Optimization

As healthcare organization grows, EHR systems must scale to meet the growing needs. The data and user load increase simultaneously as the practice grows. Scalability includes building a strong architecture that withstands future demands like:

• Adding more users
• Integrating new technologies and systems
• Increase data load

Additionally, the EHR system must be well-optimized for performance as well to ensure the system runs smoothly, even during peak usage. For instance:

• Database queries should be optimized to retrieve information quickly
• Server infrastructure should be capable of handling high-traffic

6. Security and Risk Management

Security is a top priority while developing custom EHR. As said earlier, EHR deals with sensitive patient information. A custom EHR system must include strong security features such as: 

• Data encryption 
• Role-based access control 
• Multi-factor authentication.

Conduct Regular security audits and penetration tests. These are important for identifying system vulnerabilities and preventing data breaches.

A risk management strategy is preparing for potential threats like cyberattacks or system failures. Develop emergency plans and execute regular backups. A secure EHR system not only protects data but also promotes confidence between patients and providers.

7. Seamless Patient and Provider Experience

A Custom EHR system should provide a better experience for both the patients and providers as well.

• For Patients: Including features like patient portal access, access to health records, and secure messaging can create convenience in using the system.
• For Providers: Offer a user-friendly interface, customizable dashboard, and streamlined workflow that can reduce their burdens and workload.

By prioritizing user experience, a tailored EHR can boost satisfaction and encourage providers to adopt the system, benefiting the entire healthcare ecosystem.

8. Training and Support for Adoption

Even the most advanced EHR system is pointless if the end-user doesn’t know how to use it. Healthcare organizations must conduct complete training programs for every stakeholder and EHR user to make sure they are familiar with the system.

The training program must include various sessions like:

• Hands-on training sessions 
• User manuals 
• Video tutorials.

Also, ongoing support is important, because issues may arise at any time. 

The helpdesk or dedicated IT team will help to resolve the issues instantly. Provide regular updates and gather feedback from every user to redefine the system over time.

9. Cost-Benefit Analysis

Custom EHR development has huge upfront costs, so it’s important to evaluate its cost-effectiveness. This involves comparing the initial development and implementation cost with the long-term savings. 

For example, automating billing processes can save administrative personnel hours of effort, resulting in significant long-term cost savings. A well-planned cost-benefit analysis ensures that the project generates a significant return on investment.

10. Testing and Deployment

Before launching a custom EHR system, make sure to conduct thorough testing to identify and fix any issues. This includes: 

• Stress testing to ensure the system performs well under heavy usage 
• User acceptance testing to gather feedback from end-users. 

Deployment should be done in phases, starting with a pilot program to minimize risks. By addressing potential problems before full implementation, the organization can ensure a smoother transition to a custom EHR system and avoid disruptions to patient care.

11. Post-Launch Optimization

The deployment of an EHR system is only the beginning. Monitor and optimize the system continuously to keep the system effective and up to date. 

This includes measuring performance indicators, responding to user input, and releasing regular updates to introduce new features or improve current ones. A proactive approach to post-launch optimization enables the organization to respond to changing needs while maintaining a high level of care.

Vozo Customized EHR Solution for Healthcare Practices

From managing and organizing patient health records digitally to reducing medical errors, the electronic health records system significantly empowers providers to improve healthcare quality. 

Vozo EHR can be your first option if you’re looking for the greatest EHR system for your healthcare organization. Our all-inclusive EHR system simplifies and bears all the duties so you may concentrate more on patient care.

• Vozo Cloud EHR’s cost-effective cloud subscription benefits all levels of practice.
• Our feature-rich EHR helps you rectify mistakes efficiently and speed up the process.
• Vozo Specialty EHR resonates with specialty practice needs and requirements.
• Our expert technical team got you covered 24/7 if any needs arise.
• Our EHR System continues to scale as your healthcare practice grows to improve the user experience.

The Vozo Customized EHR solution benefits your healthcare practices, increasing productivity and cost savings by streamlining the administrative process, enhancing workflow efficiency, lowering mistake proneness, managing all patient records in one location, and more.

Our specialty-specific tools like scheduling, patient portals, lab integration, cloud hosting, and more meet your healthcare practice’s specific needs and requirements.

“Embrace Vozo EHR to Reduce Your Burdens and Enhance Patient Care”