Electronic Medical Records Software

What is EMR software?

Electronic medical records (EMR) software allows medical practices and healthcare providers in the UK to record, organise, and manage patients' medical records. EMRs are the digital version of prescriptions, charts, and treatment details of patients. This software uses industry-approved CPT codes for recording and streamlining data entry.

EMR software helps UK practitioners upgrade from the traditional pen-and-paper approach to an electronic recording system. EMR software is closely related to electronic health records (EHR) software and is often sold as an integral part of the medical practice management software suite.

What are the benefits of using EMR software?

EMR software helps doctors and other healthcare professionals in the UK save time and effort by digitally recording patient details and reducing manual data entry. Some of the key benefits of using EMR software are listed below:

• Better record management, and fewer medical errors: Medical records contain a patient's entire medical history, including their personal information, allergies and symptoms, treatment details, prescriptions, charts, and drug history. These records pile up as the treatment progresses. It becomes challenging to manage all this information for hundreds and thousands of patients, especially when they are paper records. EMR software allows UK doctors to record patient information electronically, which doesn't take up any physical space. This saves the records from physical damage, being misplaced, or lost. As the records are entered in a set format using standard CPT codes, you can also prevent hand-written errors made by doctors.

• Easier data transfer: Usually, medical records are shared across departments for discussions, further tests, or final billing. However, paper files have the risk of getting misplaced during transit or having incorrect test results added to the file. Electronic medical records can be easily shared without fear of wear and tear or pages getting misplaced. Electronic health records can even be accessed remotely in case the doctor or patient is travelling.

• Enhanced productivity: EMR systems serve as a medical billing service by helping medical practices accurately bill patients for the treatments and services offered. It also automates the task of filling out forms, giving practitioners more time to look after patients instead of drowning in paperwork.

What are the typical features of EMR software?

Here are some of the most common features of electronic medical records software:

• Charting: Prepares a comprehensive record of the patient's clinical data and medical history such as demographics, vital signs, medications, treatments, and lab results.

• Code and charge entry: Assigns an appropriate cost to treatment codes, allowing you to bill patients according to the codes listed on their prescriptions or check-out bills.

• Decision support: Provides doctors with the relevant information to support their decisions about patient care. This information is the analysis of historical data and records.

• Order entry: Enters and sends medication orders and treatment instructions electronically from within the application.

• Appointment scheduling: Books patient appointments, displays bookings on a calendar, manages no-shows, and waiting lists, and reschedules requests.

• Compliance tracking: Tracks core practice operations to ensure that they are performed in accordance with the medical industry standards and regulations.

• Self-service portal: Offers a dedicated portal for patients where they can book appointments, communicate with their doctor, receive test results and prescriptions, as well as make payments.

What are some important factors to consider when purchasing EMR software?

Things to consider when purchasing electronic medical records software are: With so many options available on the market, it isn't easy for medical practices and care providers to find and select the right EMR software. UK buyers need to keep the following points in mind when purchasing EMR software for their practices.

• Integration with other medical systems: If you already use medical software, such as for practice management, electronic health records (EHR), or billing, we recommend choosing an EMR system that integrates with your applications. This will facilitate smooth data sync across applications and prevent repetitive data entry. If you plan to purchase a new practice management solution for your clinic, give preference to solutions with a built-in EMR module.

• Relevant features: It is important to shortlist all the software features your practice will need. Often, practices buy software without evaluating the core features, strengths, and limitations. Capterra's research estimates that nearly 75% of software features are never used. We recommend making a list of your healthcare organisation’s critical processes and identifying the key feature requirements to narrow down vendors and solutions that fit your needs.

• General practice versus speciality: Many software vendors offer EMR solutions that specifically cater to a specialist’s practice. These solutions have detailed charting templates or interfaces, which a general practice solution may not. If you run a core speciality, such as paediatrics or orthopaedics, opt for speciality-specific EMR products. This way, you won't have irrelevant fields, and staff can easily record details in the specific templates.

What are the trends in EMR software?

Relevant electronic medical records software trends are:

• AI to offer better decision support: EMR software is about recording patients' medical details in an organised manner. However, interpreting data from an exhaustive medical database can be difficult. That is why some EMR software vendors are adding artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities to analyse large volumes of medical data and make important clinical and treatment-related decisions. AI is also aiding in developing new drugs and making patient diagnoses with the help of collective data gathered from older records.

• Internet of medical things will continue to rise: The number of medical IoT is expected to keep growing because of the numerous opportunities in the medical sector. For example, doctors are attaching multiple sensory devices to patients during treatment for live monitoring of key indicators such as heart rate, body temperature, and blood pressure. Other health information technology trends that are going to impact the EMR software market in the UK include the greater adoption of cloud-based EMR software and numerous dedicated mobile apps for both doctors and patients.