How reliable is your EHR software?

Questions to ask about your EHR: Is it truly reliable and cost-effective?

Choosing the right electronic health record (EHR) system is critical for the success of your practice. While at first glance a lower-cost option may seem appealing, hidden inefficiencies, security vulnerabilities, and poor support can end up costing far more in the long run. To determine whether your current EHR software is meeting your needs—or whether it’s time to consider a change—ask yourself and your vendor the following questions:

1. System maintenance and updates

• Does my electronic health records software require manual updates, patches, or frequent troubleshooting by my staff, and if so, how much work does that require?
• How often does my vendor release updates, and are they automatic?
• Are security patches and compliance updates applied without requiring action from my team?

2. Performance and speed

• Is the uptime of my EHR system calculated, reported on, and guaranteed by a service agreement?
• Does my EHR slow down or lag during peak hours?
• How much time do I or my staff spend waiting for screens to load or orders to process?
• Does system performance affect my ability to complete documentation efficiently?

3. Data integrity and interoperability

• Can my EHR easily exchange data with labs, pharmacies, and other providers? What work is required of my practice to set up and maintain these integrations?
• Are duplicate or incomplete patient records a recurring issue?
• How does my EHR help ensure accurate documentation and reduce errors?

4. Usability and workflow efficiency

• How many clicks does it take to complete a routine task in my EHR?
• Does the system support voice commands or other efficiency-enhancing features?
• Are workflows intuitive, or do staff struggle to find the information they need?

A strong EHR system should not only support your daily operations but also help your practice thrive.

5. Cybersecurity and compliance

• How does my EHR software provider protect against cybersecurity threats like ransomware?
• Is my system updated regularly to comply with HIPAA and other security regulations?
• What happens in the event of a security breach—how quickly can my vendor restore access?

6. Vendor support and service

• How quickly can I reach support when I experience an issue?
• Is support included in my EHR package, or do I have to pay extra for assistance?
• Does my EHR software vendor proactively help my practice succeed beyond just troubleshooting issues?

7. Total cost and add-ons

• Are there hidden costs for essential features like e-prescribing, reporting, or patient messaging?
• Do I need third-party add-ons to make my EHR solution fully functional?
• How much additional work is required to maintain my EHR beyond the base subscription cost?

8. Future-proofing and innovation

• Does my vendor invest in research and development to improve the system? How do you know?
• Will my EHR be able to support AI-driven tools and future healthcare innovations?
• How flexible is my electronic health records system in integrating with new technology as my practice grows?

Making the right choice for your practice

If your EHR software isn’t meeting your needs in these critical areas, it may be time to explore a more reliable, efficient, and cost-effective solution. A strong EHR system should not only support your daily operations but also help your practice thrive.

Is your EHR holding you back? Discover how athenaOne's suite of electronic health record, revenue cycle management, and patient engagement tools delivers the reliability, efficiency, and innovation needed to help your practice succeed.