Last Updated | February 6, 2023
Electronic Health Record systems are now commonplace within most medical institutions. They are meant for the efficient processing of patient information and also for easy sharing of that information with other healthcare providers.
In this article, we will look at the types of electronic health record systems and what you should know.
Overview: Different Types Of Electronic Health Record Systems
Due to the recent digital revolution, it has been a natural process for hospitals and other healthcare institutions to adopt EHR systems. And due to this increased demand, there is now an uncountable number of EHR systems available in the market. We will be taking a look at some of the most popular ones and the laws that govern their development and implementation.
Types Of Electronic Health Record Systems Names
EHR vendors popular within medical enterprises such as Cerner and Epic do dominate the market each year, but there are some specialty and small vendors that are also holding their own.
Here are some of the most popular inpatient healthcare software companies in the USA:
- Allscripts
- AmkaiSolutions
- Amrita Medical Solutions
- Angel Systems
- Askesis Development Group
- athenahealth
- Cantata Health
- Cerner Corporation
- CGI
- CoCentrix
- Credible
- DSS Inc.
- eClinicalWorks
- empower systems
- Evident (CPSI)
- FEI Systems
- GE Healthcare
- Harris Healthcare
- Health Care Software (HCS)
- Healthland (CPSI)
- ICANotes
- Indian Health Services
- Infomedika
- InterSystems
- Marshfield Clinic
- MedConnect
- MedEZ
- MEDHOST
- Medicat
- MEDITECH
- Medsphere Systems Corporation
- Meta Healthcare IT Solutions
- MindLinc
- Morris Systems
- Netsmart Technologies
- NTT Data
- Optimus EMR
- Point Click Care
- Prognosis Innovation Healthcare
- PsyTech Solutions
- Qualifacts Systems
- Remarkable Health
- SigmaCare
- Sigmund Software
- Source Medical Solutions
- Technomad
- Tenzing Medical
- Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation
- VeraSuite
- WorldVistA
How Does An EHR Follow The Patient To Other Health Facilities, Explain.
EHRs are known to enable interoperability, which is a word used to define health IT that allows electronic health info to be exchanged easily. Authorized professionals, as a result, are able to exchange, access, and make use of information and records.
Health Information Exchanges (Or HIEs) are what allow this to happen. For example, hl7 epic integration allows you to maximize interoperability.
How To Select An EHR System?
There are certain steps you should follow when selecting an EHR system. Here are some of them:
- Narrow down the field. Look through the Certified HIT Product List (CHPL), from where you can see the listing of certified EHR modules that are tested and certified by the Office of National Coordinator (ONC). Ask professionals for advice or other colleagues if they know of some reliable EHR systems. Also, consider healthcare compliance consulting firms as they have the expertise needed for you to get exactly what you need.
- Then you have to develop and also issue an RFI, which is a Request for Information. This will help you get information from vendors about their profile, their training model, implementation, and if they provide ongoing support.
- Start comparing healthcare application development services by using tools such as the vendor pricing template, Vendor Evaluation Matrix Tool, and the Vendor Meaningful Use Compare Tool to help you choose from several services within the field before you start off with demonstrations.
- Schedule demonstrations with between two and 5 of the vendors you have narrowed down so you can check out the products for yourself. Make sure you understand the core functionalities of the EHR, its look and feel and the features available. Also, walk through clinical scenarios that you will possibly undergo while assessing the EHRs.
- Schedule site visits and contact references of the vendors who have implemented their EHR products successfully. Contact them and also visit the vendors in person. Prepare a detailed list of questions to ask them.
What Is EHR Mandate And Affordable Care Act?
The EHR Mandate was established so that healthcare providers would convert all of their medical charts and make them digital. It is now a condition under the ARRA, which wants to fund and incentivize healthcare professionals to use EHR systems.
The Affordable Care Act was to help those who do not have health insurance. This act contains health insurance reforms and also includes the tax provisions affecting businesses, insurers, families, individuals, government entities and tax-exempt organizations. This also contains responsibilities and benefits for other employers and organizations.
What Are The Three Laws That Govern Electronic Health Records?
There are several laws that EHR systems need to follow; here are the three primary ones.
Alcohol And Drug Abuse Patient Confidentiality
This law reinstates privacy, particularly within federally alcohol or drug abuse programs. The treatment and diagnosis are supposed to be confidential.
Privacy Act of 1974
This law regulates the information collected by the government and associated agencies. This allows citizens the full authority to know the information collected regarding them and also be able to get copies of it.
HITECH Act
This act empowers the HHS to oversee whether Health IT that is being promoted is secure, safe, and of high quality. They also assure there is a secure exchange of information.
What Law Regulates Electronic Health Records?
The Institutional Review Boards follow federal and state-enforced makes the use of informed written connections, privacy, and data security necessary.
What Are The Three Benefits Of Using The Electronic Health Record?
The three main benefits of using EHR software are:
- Saving of costs
- Better patient care and participation
- Better care coordination
How Many EHR Vendors Are There?
There are about an estimated 500 vendors that offer some variation of EHR products.
Conclusion: When Do All Medical Records Have To Be Electronic?
Due to the mandate, all healthcare organizations are supposed to have already implemented EHR systems. Otherwise, their Medicare reimbursements will be reduced by 5%
Without EHR systems, records are usually incomplete or illegible. It interrupts the continuity of quality healthcare for patients and makes it harder for specialists who have to update their patient’s files for a general physician. It also makes it easier to access important records from anywhere and monitor critical patients from home.
FAQ:
1. Who Manages Electronic Health Records?
An Electronic Health Record electronically records the medical history of patients and is managed by the specific healthcare software provider you choose.
2. What Is The EHR Mandate?
The EHR Mandate is a condition set by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) ad requires healthcare institutions to convert their medical charts from paper to digital format.
3. Six Objectives For Migration To An Electronic Health Record System?
- Change Management
- Identify valuable data and migrate it
- Conduct EHR training sessions
- Test Run
- Communicate when you are going live to your team
- Address issues with migration
4. Federal Regulatory Requirements For Health Information Technology?
Regulatory Requirements by Federal Institutions for Health IT are HIPAA Privacy Rule, The HITECH Act and PREP Act.
5. Government Requirements For Electronic Medical Records?
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology and CMS have established criteria and standards EHRs need to meet, so they may promote interoperability programs.
6. Does EHR use healthcare UX to enhance functionality?
According to research, around 55% of doctors struggle with burnout, and one doctor spends more than sixteen minutes on one patient in the EHR systems. However, it’s taking a toll on clinical efficiency. For this reason, the EHR vendors are redesigning the healthcare UX systems to reduce errors and enhance functionality.
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