Healthcare Software: 10 Types You Should Know

Thanks to the advancement of technology, the healthcare industry has undergone a radical transformation in recent years. Innovative software is improving how healthcare operations are conducted currently and will continue to enhance the lives of patients and medical practitioners.

Healthcare software is becoming increasingly popular as it helps to improve patient care, increase operational efficiency, and reduce costs. Some of the most popular types of healthcare software include electronic health records (EHRs) and telehealth platforms. We highlight the types of healthcare software you can find in the market today and how they help meet patients’ health-related needs more effectively and efficiently.

Electronic Medical Record (EMR)

Electronic Medical Record (EMR) software is a computerized system used by healthcare providers to store, update, and retrieve medical records. Unlike paper-based records, EMRs can be easily shared with other providers and allow real-time updates. This can be invaluable when coordinating care for a patient with multiple health conditions. EMRs can also track a patient’s care over time, making it easier to identify trends and potential problems. In recent years, many healthcare organizations have implemented EMR systems, and the use of these systems is expected to grow in the coming years.

Electronic Health Records (EHR)

Healthcare providers widely use electronic health records software (EHR) to store and maintain patient medical records. EHRs can include patients’ data and medical history, laboratory results, and imaging reports.

By digitizing patient medical records, EHRs help improve healthcare delivery efficiency and accuracy. In addition, EHRs provide a complete picture of a patient’s health, which can help enhance the quality of care. EHRs are also becoming increasingly important in value-based healthcare, as they provide a way to track and measure clinical outcomes. As EHRs become more widely adopted, they are expected to continue transforming the healthcare landscape.

Hospital Management Systems (HMS)

A hospital management system (HMS) helps streamline and integrate a hospital's various administrative and clinical functions. It includes features for managing patient records, appointments, billing, and more. An HMS can be used by a single hospital or a network of hospitals. You can also integrate it with other healthcare software systems, such as electronic medical records (EMR). HMS software is designed to improve the efficiency of hospital operations and to provide a better quality of care for patients. In recent years, HMS systems have become increasingly sophisticated, with features such as medication management, online appointment scheduling, and automated medication dispensing.

Telehealth

Technology can be a valuable asset in making healthcare more accessible. We define telehealth as using electronic information and telecommunications technologies to support long-distance clinical healthcare services. These include remote monitoring, increasing patient engagement, and remote visits. Telehealth is not necessarily a new phenomenon. It has been used in rural areas for decades to connect patients with specialists hundreds of miles away. However, with the advent of high-speed internet connections and powerful video conferencing technologies, telehealth is now being used to provide a wide range of healthcare services to patients across the country.

Telehealth software typically includes video conferencing, file sharing, and secure messaging. It is often used in conjunction with other types of medical software, such as electronic health records (EHRs) and practice management software. Telehealth software can be a valuable tool for patients and providers, offering a convenient way to receive and deliver care. This is another popular software for healthcare, ranking second after EHR.

Healthcare Scheduling Software

The implementation of healthcare scheduling software has revolutionized the way medical practices operate. This type of software helps streamline scheduling appointments, managing patient records, and tracking billing information. In addition, we can also use healthcare scheduling software to schedule staff shifts, track inventory levels, and generate reports. As a result, this type of software can help improve any medical practice's efficiency.

Healthcare scheduling software is typically web-based, meaning we can access it from any internet-connected computer. This allows medical staff to view and update information from anywhere. It helps minimize scheduling friction, reduces patients' waiting time, and is much more convenient than lining up to see the doctor.

Healthcare Billing Software

Healthcare billing software helps healthcare providers manage their financial transactions. Providers use it to track patient information, billing records, and payments. Additionally, it can generate reports and handle claims.

The billing processes are automated, and payments can be monitored with just a few clicks. All transactions can be viewed in one central database, improving efficiency and decreasing the chance of manual errors. In addition, this type of software makes transactions more transparent and reduces fraud risks.

Medical Equipment Management

As the name suggests, medical equipment management software helps healthcare facilities keep track of their medical equipment inventory and facilitate maintenance. This includes both purchasing and maintaining records of medical equipment. The software tracks the location of equipment, schedules maintenance and repairs, and keeps the clinic up to date on recalls and safety alerts. In addition, medical equipment management software can help order new supplies and track warranties. By keeping accurate records and staying up to date on all aspects of their medical equipment, healthcare facilities can minimize the risk of errors and ensure that their patients receive the best possible care.

Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)

Remote patient monitoring (RPM) helps collect data from patients outside of traditional medical facilities. This data can include information on vital signs, symptoms, and medications. The software then transmits this data to the patient's care team, who can use it to make decisions about treatment. Remote patient monitoring technology includes wearable electrocardiogram monitors and glucose and blood oxygen meters.

In many cases, remote patient monitoring software can help to improve the quality of care by providing more timely and accurate information. Additionally, it can help reduce the number of office visits and hospitalizations, saving time and money. For these reasons, remote patient monitoring software is becoming increasingly popular in the healthcare industry.

Healthcare CRM Software

Healthcare customer relationship management software helps healthcare organizations manage their relationships with patients. It can track patient data, create customer profiles, and manage marketing and sales activities. They can store patients’ medical histories, bills, and visits and send automated notifications to inform them about upcoming appointments. By automating some of these mundane tasks, Healthcare CRM software helps to reduce and improve efficiency. As a result, it is a valuable tool for any healthcare organization looking to improve its customer service.

E-Prescription Software

E-Prescription software allows doctors and other healthcare providers to write, send, and fill prescriptions electronically. The software typically includes a database of medications, which the provider can use to look up information on dosages, interactions, and side effects. E-Prescription software can also help to streamline the prescription process by automatically sending prescriptions to the pharmacy of the patient's choice. They are becoming more common as technology advances and more and more pharmacies are able to accept them. There are many benefits of e-prescriptions over paper prescriptions, such as decreased chances of errors, improved legibility, and timeliness. It also helps doctors to track, renew, or cancel prescriptions. Though the software may vary based on each country’s regulations, it still serves the purpose of providing a more efficient and secure way to prescribe medications.

With more than two decades of experience developing medical software programs for our clients, Vicert can design custom software for your healthcare facility. We provide knowledge and expertise and work closely with our clients to understand their specific needs and requirements. From remote patient monitoring to health cloud solutions, our experts will follow through with your project's design, staging, and deployment stages. Book a call with us to learn more about our services.