The popularity of electronic medical records software is growing wildly, both in the United States and around the world. The growth of this market comes as the healthcare sector increasingly moves toward digitalization and integrated healthcare systems.

1. Top 5 benefits of EMR software for
independent and small businesses
Formerly used by large providers, these time-saving tools are
increasingly found in small and independent practices
The popularity of electronic medical records software is growing wildly,
both in the United States and around the world. The growth of this market
comes as the healthcare sector increasingly moves toward digitalization
and integrated healthcare systems.
Electronic medical records, or EMR, help solve issues such as
interoperability, privacy concerns, and secure data storage. The arrival of
COVID-19 in 2020 further showed just how important and valuable digital
solutions are for the healthcare industry.
In medical practices both big and small, software tools that give doctors
easier access to patient data are becoming an indispensable part of daily
routines. Electronic medical records, managed with EMR software and
electronic health records, have revolutionized het ay patient records are
entered and processed. They promise an era of better care for patients and
lessened burdens for healthcare providers.
In their early days, EMR systems we more expensive and complicated, and
tended to be adopted by larger healthcare providers who could both afford
the systems and have IT staff on hand to help trouble shoot. But today, a
new era of more affordable and much easier to use electronic medical
record systems mean that practices of any size, and especially those
without IT staff on hand, can easily integrate an EMR system into their
operations. For many of these practices, adopting EMR systems has allowed
them to compete with larger medical practices and those that are
corporate-owned.
Let’s look at EMR systems in more detail and understand the top 5 benefits
that an EMR software company can offer to small and independent
businesses.

2. What is EMR?
An EMR, or electronic medical record, is a digital collection of all the
information that you would normally find in a provider’s paper chart on a
patient. This can include medical history, diagnoses, medications,
immunization dates, allergies, lab results, and doctors’ notes. In EMR
systems, these records are stored in the cloud and accessible by mobile
devices.
An EMR can also be used for payment processing, insurance claims, patient
visit scheduling, adding new patients, and recording and updating patient
information.
Notably, EMR software systems also enable clinics to easily integrate
regulatory and reimbursement changes through HIPAA, ICD-10, and the
Meaningful Use rules.
But EMRs do more than just replace old paper records. They include
incorporated systems that allow simple and effective communication
among members of a healthcare team. This results in better patient care.
What is the difference between and EMR and EHR?
In looking at web based EMRs, you may have heard of a related term, EHR.
EHRs, short for electronic medical records, contain everything that an EMR
contains and is sharable between authorized providers, health
organizations, and clinics. While an EMR is more likely to be used just for a
single provider, an electronic health record includes information from many
providers and can be shared by everyone helping to coordinate care for a
patient.
Electronic medical record:
• Is a digital version of a patient chart
• Does not easily travel outside a practice
• Is mainly used by a provider to diagnose, treat, and care
Electronic health record:
• A digital record of all of a patient’s health information

3. • Can be sent to different health care providers and specialists
outside of a particular practice
• Can be accessed by providers for decision making, diagnosis,
and care
What features should a good EMR have?
Are you thinking about adopting an electronic medical records system at
your practice? Not all EMRs are created the same, and it pays to look at the
features offered by different providers to make sure you are getting the
type of functionality you need for your practice to operate efficiently.
Some must-have features for EMR system include:
• A patient portal that is easy to access and contains educational
materials and information on lab results, allergies, medications,
discharge summaries, immunizations, and recent doctors’ visits.
There should also be downloadable forms. As a bonus, an
EMR’s patient portal should include a benefits and coverage
check, appointment scheduling, prescription refill request
forms, contact information update forms, and a payment
method tab. As this is the key function of an EMR, make sure to
look at this feature closely to ensure you like its look, its feel,
and its functionality.
• A feature that allows team members to set appointments for
patients. This would include a way to quickly register patients,
schedule them, and determine the purpose for the next visit,
then add any notes for the providers who will be seeing the
patient at that visit. The tool should also send out automated
appointment reminders using text or email.
• E-prescribing tools that let you electronically print and send
prescriptions, with instant notification of potential drug
interactions and allergies.
• A patient history recording feature that makes it easy for users
to quickly and accurately record and then access patient
history. This can include patient clinical records, surgical
reports, test results, and social history.
• A computerized physician order entry (CPOE) that lets service
providers enter, save, and then electronically send orders for
prescriptions, tests, and other services.

4. • E/M coding tools that can record information such as physical
exam results, pertinent health risk factors, treatment and
diagnosis codes, prior diagnostic test results and medical care
proposals.
• Lab integration so provides can monitor the delivery,
inspection, results, and certainty of samples electronically.
Top 5 benefits of EMR software for small and independent practices
Now that you know what a cloud-based EMR does and what functions it
should contain, let’s look at why having EMR software in your small or
independent practice is a great idea.
1. They save space: This is a big one, and is often
overlooked. All those cabinets full of paper files?
They are now in the cloud. With EMR systems
implementation, practices can say so long to the
need to store, manage, and retrieve paper records.
2. They optimize workflows: EMRs make it easy to keep
track of patients and manage patients who visit a
medical facility. Since records are digitized, it is no
longer necessary to have a file follow a patient
around a building. And since so many tools are built
into the EMR systems, it makes managing tests,
scheduling appointments, sending reminders, and
more so much easier.
3. They lower operational costs: With records in one
place, your staff will spend less time scurrying around
looking for files. Less time is spent handling paper
records, scheduling tasks, and manually sending
reminders and updates, so your staff can function on
more revenue0-earning tasks.
4. They simplify communication processes: Good EMRs
are packed with built-in communication tools, which
will save you gobs of time. Now, formerly manual
communication processes can happen with the tap
of a finger, automating prescription refill requests,
appointment reminders, next visit scheduling, test
results sending, and more.

5. 5. They reduce errors: EMRs reduce and prevent
medical errors by notifying providers or potential
drug interactions or adverse reactions. They improve
the ability to diagnose disease and improve patient
outcomes.
EMRs are rapidly growing in popularity, even with small and independent
practices, and a new era of EMR are much more affordable than you might
be thinking. To learn more about the benefits of EMRs and how they can
improve your practice, contact Eye Care Leaders today.