Impact Of Mobile Technology On EHR Accessibility and Usability

Electronic Health Records (EHRs) have revolutionized the healthcare industry, making it easier for healthcare providers to access and manage patient information. However, with the rise of mobile technology, the accessibility and usability of EHRs have taken a significant leap forward.

In post-pandemic years, the development of health apps, especially those for mobile devices, has skyrocketed. This growth has been particularly pronounced in custom electronic health record (EHR) solutions. The demand for these systems was already increasing before the COVID-19 pandemic, but the global health crisis had accelerated this trend even further.

Top developers in the healthcare sector have been focusing heavily on integrating advanced technologies into EHR systems to make them more accessible and user-friendly. And the best way was to bring it to the fingertips of patients and clinical staff. That’s how the mobile EHR app became the next major development. This shift aims to improve how healthcare information is managed and accessed, meeting the heightened needs brought about by the pandemic and beyond.

In this blog we will discuss if it is worth the hype, the power of mobile EHR solutions and the trends of mobile EHR apps. We will spotlight major application areas of mobile EHR solutions and discuss the challenges that one might face.

Let’s begin by understanding mobile EHR applications.

What are Mobile EHR Applications?

Mobile Electronic Health Record (EHR) applications are software programs designed to allow healthcare professionals to access and manage patient health records using mobile devices like smartphones, tablets, and other handheld gadgets. These apps provide a convenient way for doctors, nurses, and other medical staff to stay connected with patient information anytime and anywhere.

Key Features of Mobile EHR Applications:

• Access to Patient Records: Healthcare providers can quickly access comprehensive patient information, including medical histories, current medications, test results, and treatment plans.
• Real-time Updates: Mobile EHR apps enable real-time updates to patient records, ensuring that all healthcare team members have the most current information.
• Appointment Management: These apps allow for easy patient scheduling and appointments management, helping to reduce no-shows and improve the efficiency of healthcare services.
• Communication Tools: Mobile EHR apps often include secure messaging features, enabling healthcare providers to communicate with each other and with patients, improving collaboration and patient care.
• E-prescribing: Providers can electronically send prescriptions to pharmacies, making the prescription process faster and reducing the risk of errors.
• Remote Monitoring: Some mobile EHR apps integrate with wearable devices and other remote monitoring tools, allowing healthcare providers to track patients’ vital signs and health data remotely.
• Secure Access: Ensuring patient data privacy and security is a top priority. Mobile EHR apps typically include robust security features like encryption, secure login, and user authentication to protect sensitive information.

5 Applications Of Mobile Based EHR Apps

Electronic Health Record (EHR) mobile apps use technology to streamline processes, improve communication, and provide better patient care. Healthcare providers can make use of a variety of functions aimed to fulfill the different demands of their practices and patients alike.

1. Offline Access And Syncing

Offline access and syncing in EHR mobile apps are essential when there’s no internet. These apps let healthcare providers see patient records even in places with bad or no network. Healthcare professionals can still make informed decisions and maintain a steady workflow regardless of connectivity issues. When they get back online, the app updates everything automatically to the main EHR system.

2. Touch/Face ID Authentication

A major concern related to EHR or EMR solutions is data privacy. To boost security in healthcare, EHR mobile apps now use biometric methods like Touch ID and Face ID. These methods use your unique traits, like fingerprints or facial features, to let you access patient info securely. By using these authentications, EHR apps make sure only the right people can see patient records, reducing the risk of unauthorized access or data leaks.

3. Customizable Clinical Templates

Customizable clinical templates make it easier for healthcare providers to document patient information according to their specialty and preferences. These templates come with predefined formats for recording patient visits, covering things like medical history, physical exams, assessments, and care plans. They help providers record accurate and thorough patient details quickly, while also meeting legal rules and healthcare standards.

4. Image And Document Upload

In EHR mobile apps, being able to upload images and documents directly improves how patient records are organized and used. Healthcare providers can securely add images like test results or medical scans, and documents such as consent forms or referral letters, to patient profiles in the EHR system. This feature makes it easier to share information, work together, and keep records complete and up-to-date.

5. Integration With Wearable-Devices

The mobile EHR can connect with wearable devices like fitness trackers and smartwatches to collect and send health data in real-time and provide more personalized care. Doctors can use this data to gain insight into a patient’s health, track their progress, and take action early to prevent or manage health problems.

Let us explore the positive impacts mobile technology has on custom EHR solutions.

Key Benefits of Mobile Applications in EHR

EHR solutions using mobile technology have given the freedom to clinicians as well as have improved the productivity and efficiency of healthcare facilities. Let us look at the other benefits mobile EHR offers:

Accuracy in Medical Records

A key benefit of Mobile EHR Apps is real-time access to patient medical records, empowering both healthcare providers and patients. Patients increasingly value having control over their medical information through these apps. Practitioners can review diagnoses, progress, vital signs, and medical history conveniently, without being tied to their desks.

These apps also facilitate doctors in staying informed about their patients’ conditions, enabling them to share important information and educate patients about their health.

Quicker Documentation

Mobile EHR apps help doctors record patient notes in real-time during visits, reducing errors and ensuring vital details aren’t missed. This streamlined process improves accuracy and saves time, as doctors can update patient information on-the-go.

By enhancing documentation efficiency, these apps also reduce billing and insurance payment issues, safeguarding providers’ revenue and organizational profitability.

Updates Staff And Patients

Busy doctors need to stay on top of their tasks like informing patients about tests and lab results with automated alerts. Mobile-based EHR applications help solve this. It reduces the chances of missing important updates and improves patient care.

By sending push notifications, these apps ensure timely communication, enhancing efficiency and accuracy compared to manual methods. Ultimately, mobile EHR applications contribute to better patient outcomes by ensuring that vital information reaches both doctors and patients.

Improved Revenue System

EHR software as a mobile application benefits users by streamlining payment collection by allowing providers to enter payment details during patient visits thereby eliminating delays in billing.

This integration speeds up how quickly payments are processed and keeps revenue steady for healthcare providers. By making billing quicker, providers can maintain financial stability and spend more time focusing on patient care. In short, mobile EHR helps practices run more efficiently.

Better Scope Of Communication

Mobile EHR apps solve the challenge of effective communication between doctors and patients by providing a secure digital health platform. These apps allow physicians to share critical health information securely with patients and colleagues, ensuring HIPAA compliance.

This capability builds trust, enhances patient-provider relationships, and improves overall patient experience. Additionally, it facilitates collaboration among healthcare teams, aiding in informed decision-making and better patient care.

Dictate Notes

Doctors can now dictate notes using mobile-based apps during patient visits, ensuring all details are noted without extra time spent on writing. This feature is especially beneficial for updating information and making changes on-the-go.

By recording every detail spoken aloud, the app provides physicians with up-to-date patient information. This helps doctors make informed decisions quickly, leading to better care outcomes and improved efficiency in healthcare delivery.

Charge Capture

Have you ever thought about how much time and money could be saved if healthcare providers didn’t have to deal with paper records? Mobile EHR apps make things easier by automatically creating charge tickets during patient visits. This speeds up payment processing and helps keep revenue consistent.

By reducing errors and document losses, these apps enhance care efficiency and patient satisfaction while safeguarding financial stability for providers. Investing in mobile EHR is not just about efficiency—it’s a strategic move towards financial security and accurate record-keeping in healthcare practices.

Mobile Imaging

Mobile EHR apps offer more than just dictation—they allow providers to snap photos of patients’ symptoms for accurate record-keeping. This feature saves time and ensures better accuracy compared to dictating notes, which can sometimes lead to misunderstandings due to pronunciation.

By directly uploading images to patient records, physicians can easily reference visual information for future consultations. This enhances overall patient care by providing a clear and detailed view of their condition and progress.

Patient Stats and Information

Another benefit of Mobile EHR apps is the ability to securely store patients’ non-medical information like contact details, insurance, and family history. This eliminates errors that can occur with manual records and ensures accuracy for billing and insurance purposes.

Boost Operational Efficiency

Mobile EHR apps benefit the healthcare industry by improving operational efficiency in healthcare by providing doctors with accurate patient health information, leading to higher productivity and smoother practice operations.

A wide range of benefits is offered by the mobile EHR applications however, several challenges too need to be addressed.

Read Also: Guide to Integrate EHR Software With Existing Healthcare System

Challenges Faced while Adopting Mobile-Based EHR

EHR implementation in the healthcare system in itself is not an easy task. So it is obvious that Mobile EHR adoption is also affected by several challenges. Let us look at some areas of concern:

Cost Of Development

A major challenge faced while developing a mobile EHR app is the cost. It ranges from $20,000 to $70,000 per provider, covering purchase, installation, and ongoing maintenance. Expenses include hardware setup, software development, staff training, networking, and maintenance, with software development and training being the most costly.

Complicated Data Migration

Data migration in healthcare, especially from paper documents to digital systems, is laborious and time-consuming. Without a standardized format, it can take months to enter medical data into a mobile EHR app.

To ease this process and encourage adoption, automating data transfer and establishing clear format rules are crucial. This reduces errors and reluctance among staff, ensuring a smoother transition to digital records.

Lack of Technical Support

Small-scale clinics and practitioners face challenges in implementing mobile EHR apps due to limited technical resources and hardware. Without in-house IT teams or sufficient funds to build and maintain apps, adoption can be difficult. Experts suggest partnering with healthcare tech vendors who can develop EHR applications tailored to their needs and budget. This approach offers ongoing support and troubleshooting, ensuring smooth operation despite initial investment costs.

One Size Doesn’t Fit All

Mobile EHR apps need to fit each doctor’s specific needs and workflow. A dentist or a surgeon has different requirements that needs to be met. If the app doesn’t meet their requirements or is difficult to use, doctors won’t adopt it.

Usability issues and flaws can also prevent it’s use, especially among older or less tech-savvy doctors. Healthcare management should ensure EHR apps align with workflows and provide basic training to enhance effectiveness and adoption among physicians.

No Interoperability

A big problem with mobile apps is that they often can’t easily share information with other systems. This sharing, called interoperability, is important for safely exchanging patient information between doctors and healthcare providers.

If apps don’t work well together, important data can get lost, making it hard to make good medical decisions. Mobile EHR (Electronic Health Record) apps need to securely and smoothly share data across different platforms to help improve patient care and teamwork among healthcare providers.

Lack of Proper Communication

Clear and effective communication between healthcare providers and IT vendors is crucial for successful mobile EHR app development. It ensures that providers’ requirements are understood and met throughout the development process.

Regular feedback and queries from providers help vendors tailor the app to meet expectations and goals. Using effective communication tools fosters collaboration and ensures the app aligns with healthcare providers’ needs for improved patient care and operational efficiency.

Time Consumed in Staff Training

Training is really important but can be tough. It helps avoid mistakes and keeps mobile EHR apps running smoothly. However, in smaller clinics, staff might find training takes too much time and disrupts their usual work. Still, spending time on training makes sure that staff and doctors know how to use the app well, which improves healthcare results.

Read Also: How to Integrate EHR With Telemedicine?

Having understood the applications and the pros/cons of integrating EHR software into mobile technology, there is a need to list down the features that could up your game of mobile EHR apps.

Features To Include In Your Mobile EHR Application

Mobile EHR apps are indeed gaining momentum, and we have curated a list of important features, which based on our expertise in EHR systems would help boost your business.

Patient Charting

The mobile EHR app stores crucial patient health data like medical history, treatments, medications, lab results, demographics, and family info. This information helps doctors make informed decisions and track treatment progress efficiently.

Patient charting in the app will present this data in a concise format, making it easy for doctors to access comprehensive patient information quickly, all from their smartphones. This feature simplifies workflow and enhances care delivery by providing essential details in a user-friendly interface.

Scheduling

Booking appointments can be stressful. Adding a feature that handles doctor appointments can make this process easier. Doctors can add, reschedule, or cancel appointments as needed. This feature also keeps patient information handy, helping doctors get ready for their appointments in advance.

Push notifications remind doctors about upcoming appointments, allowing them to review patient details and offer better care. Overall, this makes the process more efficient and improves the patient experience.

Telehealth

Including telehealth in the mobile EHR app is a big plus. It improves interactions between clinicians and patients, making remote healthcare more effective. Access to accurate patient data enhances the quality of care provided by practitioners.

Mobile EHR apps enable easy and secure access to health information, which is crucial, especially in emergency situations. This feature supports quick interactions between doctors and patients, ensuring comprehensive care delivery anytime, anywhere.

E-prescription

Mobile EHR apps offer quick access to patient info, remote care services, scheduling, and e-prescriptions. Unlike paper prescriptions, doctors can now issue e-prescriptions from anywhere, saving time and ensuring faster medication for patients. This feature enhances efficiency and convenience for physicians, making it a valuable addition to the mobile EHR app.

Co-ordinated Care

Training is essential but can be tough. It helps prevent mistakes and keeps mobile EHR apps running smoothly. In smaller clinics, training might seem like it takes too much time and disrupts daily tasks. However, investing in training ensures that staff and doctors are skilled with the app, which improves healthcare results.

Remote Patient Monitoring

Healthcare leaders prioritize timely analysis and predictive insights for better patient care. Remote patient monitoring via mobile EHR apps benefits the doctors to gather crucial data from patients’ devices directly to their phones. This feature supports informed decision-making, enhances care quality, and enables timely interventions. It also aids emergency responders in reducing hospitalizations by receiving alerts and notifications promptly.

Processing claims

Another important feature that could be a valuable addition in mobile EHR apps is claim processing options. Integrating EHR with billing systems is very helpful. Including claim processing in EHR apps simplifies this task for providers. Tracking claims can be challenging, and without proper management, there’s a higher risk of claim denials or delays.

Summing Up

To summarize, the impact of mobile technology on EHR solutions is immense. It has allowed Electronic Health Reports (EHR) to boost productivity and decision-making in healthcare centers. These apps allow for responsive and coordinated care, while also engaging patients through user-friendly adoption. As a leading healthcare software development company, we recognize the significant benefits these mobile EHR apps bring to the healthcare industry.

As HealthTech trends keep changing, mobile-based EHR software is also following suit. This move from desktop workstations to mobile EHRs is what the health industry demands. Developers, healthcare professionals and stakeholders understand this demand and together shape the future of the Health Industry. With expertise in healthcare app development services, you can join hands with Zealous System to realize this goal.