Cloud vs Server: Which EHR Option is Best For Your Lab Practice?

In this modern era, every laboratory practitioner is talking about the adoption of Electronic Health Records (EHR). Due to its immense benefits and popularity among the providers. EHR has become the most powerful tool in the healthcare market. It helps the providers to keep highly confidential health data, including patients’ demographic information, medical histories, billing data and other essential information in digital format. 

No doubt the advent of the EHR has decreased the administrative burdens of the lab technicians_associated with the orthodox and paper-based method of data collection, processing and more importantly transmission. But there are many providers who are still confused when it comes to choosing between a cloud-based and in-house EHR. However, it has become a major concern and almost every practitioner, who is going to shift toward the EHR system is looking for the best solution to this confusion. Both types of EHR can bring different results, depending on the needs and the size of the health care practices. Cloud or in-house EHR? Haven’t you decided yet?  Let’s put an end to your confusion. 

What’s the Major Difference? 

Before making any argument, it’s crucial to understand the difference between both types of systems. Cloud-based systems store the data on external servers. Which allows quick access through the web. In order to access healthcare information, providers just need a computer with satisfactory internet connectivity. It enables laboratory practitioners to exchange the data even outside the lab premises with the other stakeholders_involved in the health care as well revenue cycle management process. 

On the other hand, the data storage in server-based systems requires the additional installation of a server, hardware, and software. Most of the time, this system is used in closed medical billing systems. That doesn’t allow information exchange outside the healthcare organization. It restricts the practitioners to access the data only when their systems are connected to the main servers and present on the laboratory premises. 

Stats of switching to the cloud-based electronic health records

Due to these restrictions, in-house server-based EHR is now becoming a thing of the past. Because health care practitioners find the cloud-based EHR systems more beneficial than these traditional methods of storing the patients’ records. However, the following statistics clearly describe the fact that the majority of providers are switching towards implementation of the cloud-based electronic health records. 

• According to the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) analytics. Two third of healthcare IT experts reveal that they are currently using cloud-based technology to store and transmit healthcare data. 
• In addition to this, 93% of health care professionals reveal that cloud-based storage systems have always been their priority on-premises EHR systems. The major factor behind this priority is the easy and real-time access to healthcare information at the time of coordinated care or billing process.
• Even 82% of small practices have switched to cloud-based systems and 81% show their satisfaction with this adoption. 

Both cloud-based and server EHR systems have their own features. However, the above-mentioned statistics and the difference will help you to make an insightful decision regarding the adoption of the EHR system. According to IT experts, the demand for cloud-based systems is increasing day by day. In order to make the best choice, laboratory practitioners must analyze their practice needs, security considerations and cost savings. 

Are you thinking about switching your medical practice to a cloud-based EHR? Then read the article carefully. In this article, I have narrated the major benefits of using cloud base storage EHR systems. 

Enhanced Interoperability

Healthcare interoperability has become a major concern of practitioners. It’s extremely crucial to exchange confidential health data in a secure manner. Moreover, the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has also implemented the interoperability and patient access final rule. Which has entirely changed the way patients, providers and payers access health information. The primary objective of this rule is to eliminate the industry silos. That prevents the patients’ access to their healthcare data, seamless patient data exchange and information blocking. 

So, in order to comply with the federal rule of interoperability. It’s very important for laboratory practitioners to take appropriate measures. And the good news is that cloud-based electronic health records allow systems to be interoperable and healthcare data sharing can be done in a more secure way than ever before. Interoperability has become one of the biggest factors that lead to provider satisfaction with the EHRs powered by cloud-based technology. 

On the other hand, on-premise systems may suffer from poor usability and aren’t very effective when it comes to transmitting the data securely. In turn, cloud systems help to overcome interoperability challenges and improve patient outcomes. Additionally, switching from a server EHR to cloud-based electronic health records can be a vital step towards interoperability. In short, it also helps lab practitioners store, access and exchanges the data in a seamless manner. 

Ensure Privacy

In this challenging era, the protection and privacy of sensitive patient information are extremely important. Because the healthcare industry has become the main target of cybercriminal activities. Meanwhile, the utilization of a cloud-based system minimizes the chances of data breaches. According to the practitioners who are using such systems. They are less worried now about storing confidential patient health information and personal data on their servers. Moreover, it enables lab practitioners to restrict the access and sharing of sensitive information with other physicians and patients who have proper authorization. It is pertinent to mention here that_ the majority of the health care providers are moving towards the hiring of professional billing collections agencies. That provides the integration of cloud-based EHR systems. In this way, practitioners can also save a significant amount of time and money. Meanwhile, outsourced professionals are capable enough to take care of your highly confidential health data along with your financial health. 

Regardless of the size of your practice, Laboratory Billings integrates the cloud-based EHR systems to expedite the practice growth of its clients. We provide automated lab billing solutions to take your profitability and productivity to the highest level. So, collaborate with us and get rid of the out-of-pocket expense and the cost of establishing an IT support team as well as the in-house billing team. 

Take Action

The clinical practitioner’s role doesn’t end with the implementation of modern electronic health records. But it is also their responsibility to take every possible measure to keep up with the security and privacy rules_ issued by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Furthermore, providers should conduct regular audits of their EHR systems to find and fix any loopholes, related to HIPAA violations. 

To ensure the compliance of the revenue cycle management and the entire practice operations. The majority of medical care providers prefer to acquire the services of HIPAA-compliant clinical billing companies. Outsourced experts make sure that they align the utilization of the technology i.e. practice management solutions, EHR, etc, as per the HIPAA act. They are highly capable of saving your practice from financial as well as compliance challenges. 

Are you thinking about switching to a reliable partner to keep your revenue collections management compliant? Then look no further than Clinical Lab Billing. It’s a HIPAA-compliant clinical billing company in the United States. That implements the certified EHR system to provide a powerful platform for secure data storage, retrieval, and transmission. Contact us today to keep your healthcare business compliant. 

Experienced firms Like Medcare MSO can help you integrate these efficient systems into your existing frameworks_ as they excel in this area and offer great financial outcomes.