Advantages of Cloud-Based EHR Software for Optometrists
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Highlights
- Optometrists need user-friendly, cost-effective, scalable solutions for electronic health records (EHRs) and data sharing.
- A cloud-based optometry EHR system improves data access, workflow, and security.
- Cloud-based software is more cost-effective than onsite servers and offers benefits like automated backups and updates.
- RevolutionEHR integrates EHR, practice management, and optical in one cloud-based system.
There are two main types of EHR systems: on-site and cloud-based.
The first is, as the name implies, hosted on the business premises on a dedicated server managed by the vendor on behalf of the business or customer. The second relies on the internet to host and store system software and data on off-site remote servers accessed through the web.
An outdated optometry EHR slows down your workflow and limits your ability to connect with patients.
Switching to a cloud-based optometry EHR improves workflow, provides better security, and allows you to spend more one-on-one time with patients.
This blog details the seven major advantages for optometrists of using cloud-based EHR systems.
1. Easy to Switch with Easy Implementation
With the optometry market set to grow 14.8% by 2027, optometrists need new digital systems up and running quickly. Cloud-based EHR systems have a clear advantage over their on-site counterparts. Because they are internet-based, there’s no hardware or software to install, saving hours of preliminary work and potential installation problems.
“The ease of deploying a cloud EHR solution is also a bonus for smaller organizations who may not have well-staffed IT teams to manage a full-fledged on-premise EHR implementation,” writes Kate Monica in an article for EHRIntelligence.
“Simple go-lives can mitigate the stress of a new EHR implementation and help to buoy provider satisfaction.”
2. Seamless Upgrades
When your optometry practice uses a cloud-based EHR system, you can forget about periodic, lengthy updates and data backups, efforts that can disrupt business and greatly increase patient wait times.
Unlike on-site-hosted EHR systems, cloud-based EHR systems can conduct scheduled, automated updates and backups, often during off-hours, so patient care is not interrupted.
Cloud-based EHR systems automatically update security patches and upgrade to new software versions. An optometrist’s business will always be operating on the latest available system version, ensuring accuracy and security for their patients without the need for IT support.
EHR Accessibility
A cloud-based EHR solution allows all members of your practice to access your data anytime, anywhere, and from any device.
3. Increased Scalability
With a cloud-based EHR system, a growing optometry practice can expand without the usual technology-related kinks.
Cloud-based systems allow optometrists to easily add new patients, staff, service lines, providers, and/or locations anywhere there’s an internet connection from any connected device.
With an abundance of off-site servers available for data hosting, the potential for storage capacity is limitless.
What’s more, with a cloud-based system, additional user accounts and workstations can be added at any time — without the reconfiguration of an internal network that on-site EHR systems require.
As an optometrist’s practice grows, so, too, can their cloud-based EHR system.
4. Lower Cost and Cost-effective Practice Management
Cloud-based backup systems are a more cost-effective alternative to onsite servers. Because your storage is offsite, there’s no need to pay for physical servers or the space to house these systems.
“A lot of these [on-site] systems, you have to buy the hardware, the software,” Steve Kelley, CEO of Ellenville Regional Hospital in Ellenville, N.Y., told EHRIntelligence.
“You have to install all that stuff — millions of dollars — and you have to install all these licenses, which are typically paid for up-front."
In this area, too, cloud-based optometry EHR systems lead the pack. Because they store data and deploy software off-site, cloud-based EHR systems frequently cost far less in initial outlay than on-site EHR systems, which require pricey hardware, server space, and dedicated technology personnel.
Cloud storage costs less per GB than external drives and on-site servers. You’ll also save time on administrative tasks that you can reinvest in your practice.
What’s more, because you don’t need to maintain a server on your premises and backups and upgrades are automatic, there’s no need for internal IT support.
Going with a web-based alternative helps an optometry practice save money and focus on increasing its bottom line.
5. Improved Security and Synergy
When you switch to cloud-based optometry software, your practice benefits from improved security and interoperability compared to on-site data storage.
Public cloud providers invest significant funds into security research for the most up-to-date protection of user information and HIPAA compliance.
“Physicians need to share clinical data with labs, referring physicians, and payers and doing this manually can be difficult and time-consuming,” writes Julie Clements in an article for MOS Medical Transcription Services.
“Cloud-based interoperability allows all parties to connect and share healthcare information efficiently and securely to improve the patient experience.”
6. Automated Backups and Recovery Tools
A cloud-based EHR system offers frequent backups and convenient data recovery tools so your patient and claims history is always secure. Unlike an onsite server, cloud-based storage continuously uploads your data to offsite servers.
Backups and updates happen automatically, and most cloud hosts store your data in more than one location. This redundancy protects your data from human accidents or acts of nature.
7. HIPAA Compliant EHR Features
EHR systems that are cloud-based promote better HIPAA compliance with secure messaging and records storage. Staying compliant with HIPAA regulations is one of the most important aspects of running an optometry practice.
With a cloud-based EHR system, these features are built-in, decreasing the amount of time and worry you face in making sure all your patient documentation and communication meet regulatory standards.
Cloud-based EHR and Practice Management
RevolutionEHR is an all-in-one cloud-based EHR system that’s designed specifically for optometry practices. This platform has all the features you need to simplify workflows and provide better patient care, including:
Make Switching Simple
RevolutionEHR offers a simple, user-friendly implementation process. This includes an easy-to-navigate interface and a flexible data entry process for staff. The system also provides extensive training resources and access to a team of customer service specialists for a smooth transition.
When surveyed, 98% of organizations using RevolutionEHR reported high professionalism from our support team.
Seamless Upgrades
The platform provides seamless upgrades as part of its service. RevolutionEHR includes all software features, updates, management, security, and data backup hosted in its data center. This eliminates the need for manual system configurations, ensuring you always have the latest features and security updates.
Multi-Location Features for Optometry Practices
RevolutionEHR’s practice management system offers scalability to cater to the growing needs of your optometric practice. This includes features like scheduling, accounting, patient recall lists, and claims submissions via integrated clearinghouses.
In a customer survey, 54% of practices said they improved staff coordination after implementing RevolutionEHR. This can help boost efficiency and meet your practice growth goals. Additionally, 72% of those surveyed saw good improvement with scheduling, further enabling them to scale their business.
With RevolutionEHR, you can add services based on your practice needs. For instance, subscribe to RevAspire for help with MIPS reporting requirements or RevIntake to simplify patient intake at your expanding practice. Or keep the software’s standard features until you know what add-ons can benefit you most.
Flexible Pricing
RevolutionEHR has a flexible, monthly subscription pricing model. Based on the number of doctors in your practice, it provides unlimited access to RevolutionEHR for all staff across locations and devices. This model allows for cost-effective scaling of services as practices grow. Add-on services allow you to pay only for what you need — and nothing you don’t.
Strong Data Security
RevolutionEHR features cloud-based security measures, such as user-specific access and restrictions, SHA-256 encryption for HIPAA compliance, and a web-stored document management system. These ensure the secure, private handling of sensitive patient data.
Designed specifically for optometrists, RevolutionEHR offers a single, secure, cloud-based software platform to increase your practice’s efficiency — anytime, anywhere, from any connected device.
See what RevolutionEHR can do for you and your patients.