Cloud-based vs in-house EMR software solutions have been subject to debate among medical practitioners for years. But with the feature-rich benefits of internet-based, on-demand medical software that have been rolled out in recent years, most practices now opt for a cloud-based solution.
Cloud-based EMR software is simpler, scalable, more affordable and more secure, and it’s become the default choice for medical professionals worldwide.
What Is Cloud-Based EMR Software?
Cloud-based EMR software is an online solution designed to help practice owners manage their patient records. The software helps automate clinical workflows and dramatically increases administrative efficiency.
The software is not reliant on in-house servers, so the solution doesn’t require significant up-front investment for practices, and it can be accessed from anywhere in the world as long as you have an internet connection.
Server vs Cloud-Based
Cloud-based EMR systems refer to a web-based system accessed with an internet connection. This means the software can be accessed remotely, from anywhere and with any device that connects to the internet, making the processing and storing of patient records more accessible and affordable.
Server or in-house EMR systems refer to a system that runs on an internal or centralised server where the program is shared with other computers. Processing and storing of data can only be done through the centralised server, which limits accessibility. In-house solutions are typically expensive to set up and maintain and may have more security vulnerabilities.
EMR vs EHR vs Practice Management Software
The terms EHR and EMR are often used interchangeably, but they’re quite different. An EHR (electronic health record) is a digital record of a patient’s health information, and an EMR (electronic medical record) is a digital version of a chart with patient information.
Both EMR and EHR document the patient’s care, while patient management software is primarily used by admin staff to manage financial and administrative functions.
Some practices may have two different systems, one for EMR and EHR and another for patient administration, but software options like Power Diary combine the features of both to simplify and streamline record-keeping in the practice.
Find more information on EMR and EHR software here: What is EMR Software?
Benefits of Online Practice Management Software
Lower Upfront Costs
Cloud-based EMR systems are an obvious choice if you don’t have the budget to invest in an in-house solution. The upfront costs are significantly lower, often zero, as there is no investment into hardware or infrastructure. Additionally, because the software is cloud-based and regularly updated by the software provider (such as Power Diary), there’s no need to hire your own IT team or pay for additional licensing.
Better Security
According to a benchmark study on the privacy and security of healthcare data, 89% of healthcare organisations had at least one data breach involving the loss or theft of patient data in the past two years. And 69% of respondents in the study thought that healthcare organisations were at greater risk than other industries of a data breach.
Unfortunately, the costs of maintaining in-house security systems are prohibitively high and would be unaffordable for a small practice. The advantage of using an online EMR software like Power Diary is that these costs are spread across all clients.
Online practice management software puts several steps in place to maintain the security of patient information. Power Diary, in particular, follows an advanced security process that covers 2-factor authentication, user account controls, user activity recording, data transmission, infrastructure and design, backup and encryption, active system monitoring and system availability, credit card processing and PCI compliance, and more. Plus, everything is backed up to the cloud, so in the event of a fire or natural disaster, data remains safe and accessible.
Simplicity
Cloud-based EMR systems are intuitive and easy to use, making your team’s initial set-up and onboarding quick and stress-free. And, because the system runs off of the cloud, installing software on practice computers is not necessary.
Quick Connection
A cloud-based EMR system means fast and easy connection for staff, clients and patients. This is ideal for practitioners who may be working remotely or at different practice locations. They, and their patients, can access the system from an internet-enabled device wherever they are.
Scalable Software
Growth is an excellent sign for any healthcare practice, but it can come with a lot of work behind the scenes as you contemplate upgrading your processes and procedures to handle each new team member. Scaling is much less of an issue with cloud-based EMR systems because you can add additional users, accounts, and locations with just a few clicks.
Highly Efficient
Practice staff have access to the information they need when they need it, including calendars, notes and patient data. This, along with several automations built into the software, introduces efficiencies into the practice for the medical practitioners and the admin team. This ensures that your facility and its staff can continue paying attention to what matters: your patients.
Cloud-Based Practice Management Software for Any Industry
Power Diary’s cloud-based practice management software has been purpose-built from the ground up to meet the needs of many healthcare professions.
Let’s take a look at a few professions and how cloud-based practice management works for each of them:
- Massage Therapists: You can run sessions, manage invoices, and send automated appointment notifications within the software.
- Chiropractors: Keep client information up to date, and annotate diagrams within your electronic patient notes.
- Psychologists: Ensure the privacy and security of client information with a robust, encrypted cloud-based solution.
How to Use Cloud-Based EMR Software
The biggest hurdle to using cloud-based medical practice management software is narrowing down the different options and making a final decision. Power Diary makes it easier with their 14-day free trial so that you can try out the features with no commitment.
After that, it’s plain sailing; sign up for an account and start configuring the software for your practice. If you have any issues with the onboarding process, the software’s customer support team should be able to guide you.
At Power Diary, all customer support is free. The enthusiastic team would love to show you all the software’s features and how you can use them to introduce efficiencies into the way you run your practice.
Booking & Scheduling
Adding, moving and scheduling appointments only take a few seconds. Additional features like automated appointment reminders and appointment confirmations from patients directly reducing no-show and cancellation rates and significantly lessen the burden on administrative staff.
Documentation & Forms
With cloud-based practice management software, all documents and information are stored securely. Power Diary takes this one step further with online forms. These include new patient forms, telehealth consent forms, and custom form creation capability. You can be fully up-to-date before your patient sets foot in the practice.
Communication
Send automated SMS message appointment reminders, allow appointment confirmations, introduce telehealth options and manage bulk and personal emails, all within the software.
Make the Switch to Cloud-Based EMR Software
No matter the size of your practice, Power Diary has the right cloud-based EMR software solution for you. Our practice management system is created for the health professional, with all the functionality you need for your practice to run seamlessly. And support is always unlimited and free.
Ready to make the switch? We’re offering a free trial that gives you 50% off for 6 months when you convert your account!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does Cloud-Based EMR Software Cost?
EMR software is affordable, with pricing based on the number of health practitioners using the software. Practices get access to the full suite of features whether you operate as a solo practitioner or have a multi-location practice with hundreds of clinicians. Power Diary offers a 14-day free trial, so you can log in, look around, and decide whether it’s the right cloud-based EMR software for you.
Find out more about EMR Software Costs.
Is It Difficult to Maintain Cloud-Based EMR Software?
No, it’s not difficult at all. In fact, as a practitioner using cloud-based medical practice management software, it’s not something you ever have to worry about. The service providers keep your EMR software up to date for you. Power Diary rolls out regular updates to keep your data secure and introduces new features as part of their commitment to providing the best practice management software.
