Electronic Health Records are advanced systems that enable digitized medical documentation to replace conventional paper-based records. As of 2017, 80% office-based physicians across the US had adopted a certified EHR, primarily owing to the interoperability that these systems offer; EHR records can be shared between different healthcare facilities and stakeholders, which allows the provision of standardized service across the care continuum.
The large-scale transition to EHR has come about also because of the practice efficiency and success that these digital systems support. They offer various benefits apart from merely storing patient history and charts:
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is the regulatory body that manages to license for EHR software companies. This certification is known as The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology Certificate (ONC).
The top EHR companies invest heavily in the research and development of their products so that they can be designed in accordance with the requirements of the market. The development process usually spans across the following steps:
1. Data Collection
Market demands and trends are analyzed to collect first-hand data on various medical specialties. These insights help in formulating a strategy for the creation of an EHR that will cater to the current needs of independent practices.
2. Production
EHR products and services are created based on the gathered data. The best EHR vendors create various modules to cater to different specialties, while also allowing maximum customizability. Top EHR systems are also integrated with additional applications, like Patient Portal and Practice Management, for added convenience.
3. Trial and Implementation
Trials are conducted to determine the viability of the EHR system in real-life conditions, i.e., the healthcare facilities. Subsequently, depending on the performance of the EHR in the market, features and functionalities are added or removed from the software. Potential clients are approached following market research on demographics. A finished product is then rolled out and marketed.
While all top EHR companies utilize various resources in the production of EHR systems, this does not mean that every EHR is the same in all aspects of functionality and performance. EHR systems offer a variety of services and features – from integrated patient portal to cloud-based services – which tend to confuse the best of the best. To make the best decision, consider the following top ten EHR features before choosing an EHR vendor:
1. Specialty-specific knowledgebase and features
2. User-friendly and easy to learn
3. Reasonably priced system and fast implementation
4. Online appointments and text alerts for patients
5. Data analytics and mining
6. Integration with the patient portal and practice management
7. Claims scrubbing software
8. Efficient client support
9. Meaningful Use certification
10. MIPS/MACRA compliance ​
Below are the top 12 EHR companies to help you choose the best provider. These companies have been rated according to their features, user experience, pricing, support and training, and client satisfaction.
