How cloud-based EHR systems boost your cost-efficiency

Cost-efficiency leads the way when considering cloud-based EHRs

You already know that electronic health record (EHR) systems can do wonders for your practice. The right EHR system can provide accurate, up to date, and complete information about patients at the point of care and help enable quick access to patient records so all of your providers can take part in providing superior patient care. They enable safer and more reliable prescribing and help promote legible and complete documentation as well as accurate, streamlined coding and billing.

But cloud-based EHRs take all of that a step further. Cloud-based EHRs, as opposed to office-based EHRs, can improve the cost-effectiveness of your office in a number of important ways. They can help providers produce productivity and work-life balance while also enabling improved efficiency, and they can reduce costs through decreased paperwork, improved safety, reduced duplication of testing, and improved overall health.

This blog explores cloud EHRs in detail and shows you exactly how they can improve the cost-effectiveness of your practice.

What are cloud-based EHRs?

Cloud EHRs are electronic health record systems that live in the cloud. This relatively new practice solution replaces traditional office-based EHR networks. They include all of the features of traditional office-based EHRs but do without many of those systems’ drawbacks.

Just like office-based electronic health record systems, cloud-based EHRs contain all of a patient’s medical history as well as diagnoses, medications, treatment plans, radiology images, lab results, test results, known allergies, and immunization dates. Through them, providers can use evidence-based tools that can be used to make decisions about a patient’s care, and they can automate and streamline provider workflows.

When it comes to choosing an electronic health record system, providers have a wealth of options to choose. While each will provide the same basic functions, they all vary when it comes to the details. Features commonly found in leading EHR systems can include solutions for:

• Easy patient scheduling
• Smart patient workflows
• Superior task management abilities
• Speeding up the patient charting process
• Downloading templates and order forms
• Entering detailed meaningful use reporting

In addition, good EHRs will be built around a simple, intuitive, and attractive user interface and allow around the clock access from any device.

Cloud-based optometry software EHRs do all of that but relive practices from the burden of having to host the EHR system in their own offices. With EHR duties pushed to the cloud, health care providers can access the system from anywhere as long as they can get on the internet. Updates are pushed through over the air and do not require a hard drive update. And since the system is hosted by someone else, practices can practically do away with their IT departments – after all, someone else is handling some of the most difficult duties.

How do cloud-based EHRs function?

Cloud-based electronic health record systems use the power of the cloud to host all of their optometry software functions. With cloud-based EHR systems, data are stored on external servers and can be accessed by any device with an internet connection and, of course, the right login and password details.

In office-based secure EHR systems, practices were forced to spend thousands of dollars buying and maintaining on-site servers that were needed to host the system, including a server, hardware, and software, plus the systems needed regular maintenance and management from one or more IT professionals. With cloud medical software systems, which are sold through a software-as-a-service agreement, all of that expense and trouble is thrown out of your office and to the solutions provider. All you need to do is log in and get to work.

How do cloud-based EHRs support cost-effective operations and eye care solutions?
Cloud-based electronic health record systems promote cost-effective operations in a number of key ways.

First of all, cloud-based optometry EHRs help you get the most out of every patient encounter. Good systems will have intuitive charting and electronic ordering features, and templated notes, automated coding, and clinical reminders that elevate the standard of care. They also have integrated and connected patient charts that pull in records from collaborating providers, which enhances the care that you can provide.

Are you offering or planning to offer virtual care? Cloud-based EHRs will help you provide both in-person and virtual care from a single platform. Appointments can be handled by video and you can see patients virtually while charting. This strengthens the relationship you have with patients and can drive positive reviews and cut down on the number of patients who are dissatisfied with your care and transfer their care to another provider.

Before your patient even steps into the office or logs on for a virtual visit, cloud-based EHRs can help promote cost-effective operations. They permit easy online patient appointment scheduling and automatically send appointment notifications and reminders so your staff does not have to spend hours every day calling to confirm upcoming appointments. And they also streamline the check-in process by pre-populating many forms required for care.

Cloud-based optometry EHRs also help you be more cost-effective after the visit by automatically sharing care plans and treatments with patients and offering secure communications with patients and partners. Again, this cuts down on the amount of time your staff needs to spend on routine operations.

Finally, cloud-based EHRs help you manage and grow your operations efficiently. You can manage tasks with a streamlined practice inbox and spend less time on payments, business reports, and analytics. Have a problem? Most cloud-based EHRs have 24/7 customer support you can contact for help.

Where can I learn more about cloud-based EHRs?

Eye Care Leaders has a suite of modern cloud-based EHR solutions for eye care practices of all sizes. Eye Care Leaders’ myCare and My Vision Express offer EHR, PM, ASC, and optical in a single online platform, and can be complemented with add-on services such as revenue cycle, MIPS assurance, patient payment collection solutions, and more.

To learn more about cloud-based EHR and eye care solutions, contact the pros at Eye Care Leaders today and schedule a free demo.