Electronic Health Reporter

By Tim Scott, chief operating officer, American Medical Software.

So you are having some difficulty deciding between cloud-based and client-server based EHR software – don’t worry, you are not alone. If you look at them side-by-side, they both certainly have their ups and downs. The determining factor ought to be how your practice operates.

Let’s go through some of the benefits specifically of cloud-based EHR software to help you better get a sense of its benefits in operation. If it so happens that these benefits seem fruitful for you and your practice, then you might just have your decision made.

First off, utilizing cloud-based medical software, can make managing your software and keeping up with the changes in the medical realm that much simpler. Aside from that view, let’s look at it from an internal perspective, and how it can promote efficiency within your practice.

Cuts Costs

Installation fees are non-existent when it comes to cloud-based technology. There aren’t any servers or physical systems to install on-site. Therefore, cost is minimal to start with. Limiting headaches that come with the installations at your practice can be a pro in it of itself, but lessening costs along with that are two great benefits collectively.

Maintenance Free

As many may already know, servers can crash as they are physical pieces of hardware. Cloud-based systems don’t have that issue. When you are dealing with problems, you won’t have to contact someone to come out and take a look at your system. Cloud-based EHR can provide instant updates, resulting in less headaches and worry when having to deal with any issues you may be having.

Security

Obviously security is becoming more and more a point of discussion for any service that holds proprietary and private information. For most practices or vendors, the security of patient data and information is of the utmost importance. Cloud-based storage is commonly encrypted – which essentially acts as a preventative measure to further ensure there is no unauthorized access of patient information.

Accessibility

With cloud computing, you can access any of your patient and practice data whenever and wherever you are. That added convenience is a huge benefit for those that are not always on-site. On the flip side, client-server solutions don’t have that same benefit. You are restrained to the confines of your practice when you are hoping to access this same data.

Increase in Collaboration

Communicating across subjects and service areas is of great importance as well when looking at determining factors for cloud-based solutions. They allow for practices to communicate freely and share patient data to their liking. Having this increase in collaboration can come as a tremendous benefit to your patients.

Practice Growth

As your practice starts to grow, you will find that the managing of growth is far easier to deal with when you operate with cloud-based technology. Whenever you need to add new patients, you can do so quite simply. The expansion of your practice can become a breeze.

So the big takeaway is this – make your own determination when choosing between cloud-based and client-server based software solution systems. Look internally at your own practice affairs when considering the pros and cons of each.