Electronic Health Records System aka EHR system is an integral part of every medical practice. Based on the manner in which the data is stored, this system is categorized as cloud based and client-server based. A lot of physicians in the past have opted for the client server based EHR system, which means storing all the data in-house. However, a lot of people are now slowly transitioning towards cloud-based EHR where the data is stored in external servers and can be easily accessed using the internet. The step has been taken in the wake of the various advantages that it has over the client server based system.
Not sure if this is a good idea? for your healthcare back office support.
Cloud EHR vs. Client Server EHR: 5 Key Differences
- Supreme Security
A client-server based EHR system is quite vulnerable to problems with the software or errors made by the staff. In such scenarios, the practice might actually find it hard to access crucial patient records for the time that the problem is not resolved. This is surely a risk no practice can take. On the other hand, when a cloud-based EHR is used, there are no chances of software or human errors, thereby ensuring complete access to the stored data all the time.
Additionally, when storing the data in-house, there are chances of a hacker getting access to confidential information. However, when it comes to the cloud-based system, the data is encrypted before being stored to the server. Thus, even if a hacker makes his way into the server, he would not be able to use the data.
- Enhanced Privacy
Privacy of patient information is a key challenge that all the medical practices face. This is especially true when it comes to the client-based EHR system where most of the staff has access to all the records. However, with a cloud-based EHR, the doctors can be assured that confidential patient information is stored safely on the external servers which are managed by experts. They also have control over who can access the information.
- Cost Effective
Implementing a client-server based EHR system requires shelling out a huge amount of money to secure the relevant hardware and software along with other costs for maintenance, licensing, updating and what not. With a cloud-based EHR, there is no need to install any new hardware and the implementation cost is also considerably low. Of course, the medical practice may have to pay a monthly fee to the service but this is very low when compared to installing the client-server based system.
- Flexible
A client-server based EHR system can be hard to adapt to sudden changes in the practice like more number of patients, newer services or new physicians. This would require installation of new hardware and software. On the other hand, a cloud-based EHR system is extremely flexible and can easily adapt to any changes that are made within the medical practice.
- Better Accessibility
The staff and physicians of a practice that uses client-server based EHR system are literally tied down to their desks as there is no other way they can access the patient data that is stored on the in-house server unless they work from their offices. However, this is not the case with the cloud-based EHR. The information stored on this can be accessed from anywhere, thus giving the users a flexibility to work from any place and at any time. This also proves beneficial for the patients who consult a number of specialists.
Though the transition from client-server based EHR to cloud-based may sound intimidating, it surely has a lot of benefits when it comes to saving time, money and resources. Given the ease with which this can be implemented, it definitely seems to be a feasible choice, what with the flexibility and efficiency that it offers.
To learn more about Cloud Based EHR Software, Get in Touch with Primed Billing.
