When your EHR software solution doesn’t work with your practice, it could have the same effects as managing your optometric practice on paper. Technology has advanced, and the optometric industry has changed. Has your EHR been able to keep up with the changes?

Below are a few things you can expect when using an outdated EHR in your optometric practice.

The Affects of Old EHR Software

Slow Workflow

Having an efficient office workflow in your practice is important to quickly push patients through their appointment without decreasing the quality of care. An efficient workflow will allow you to see more patients, collect more money, and more importantly, change the lives of patients by helping them see more clearly.

When working with an outdated EHR solution that isn't keeping up with the changes in the eyecare industry and in technology, your practice and your patients are affected. Using an EHR software that minimizes awkward staff handoffs, phone calls, and manual data entry will improve your office workflow efficiency.

Data Breach Vulnerability

Data security is important when it comes to your patient records. If your EHR isn’t supported in the cloud and you have to remote desktop into your on-premise server to access patient charts, then you may be more vulnerable to data security breaches than ODs logging into a true cloud–based EHR to access the solution. The reason for this is because the vendor can dedicate resources to keep up with cybersecurity best practices.

If your EHR provider hasn’t updated any of the functionality or the UI in a while, then it may be a sign that they haven’t been keeping up with the data security to try to stay ahead of cybercriminals and keep them from accessing your important patient data.

Communication Errors

When it comes to patient care, it’s important that you’re recording accurate and detailed information about the patient and their appointment. However, an outdated EHR that hasn’t kept up with the other solutions that are required in an optometric practice can add more work to your staff, increasing the length of appointments and opportunities for errors.

Cut phone calls and increase communication by using an all in one EHR software solution with the embedded tools your practice needs. An EHR with embedded tools will make it so you don’t have to manage multiple invoices or different interfaces for things like ePrescribing, patient recall, code verification, frame catalogs, and patient education materials.

Shopping for a new EHR? Download our buying guide for selecting a practice management and EHR software solution.