5 Benefits of Choosing EHR Software Built for Urology

Despite the clear need for urologists, providers across the board are struggling to keep up with demand — and many are reconsidering their positions altogether. In fact, one study found that virtually all urologists are dealing with declining reimbursements. What’s more, 87 percent say they no longer enjoy the profession as much due to rising stress and lower profits.

A big reason why so many urologists are unhappy is because they have to tackle an incredible amount of backend work every day. Believe it or not, urologists spend an average of 14.8 hours per week on paperwork and administrative tasks, that same study found.

One way your facility can significantly reduce backend administrative work is to invest in electronic health record (EHR) software that is purpose-built for urology clinics. Taking this small step can yield enormous results, leading to happier patients and staff members — and a healthier bottom line.

What Is EHR Software?

EHR software is essentially a one-stop shop for urology practice management. An EHR solution serves as a virtual hub where clinicians, administrators, and patients and caregivers can work together and access information from any connected device.

While EHR apps vary from vendor to vendor, they generally feature tools like digital schedulers, interactive patient summaries, and custom templates for documentation.Even so, EHR solutions are a foundational element for modern, patient-centric care — and a must-have technology for any practice that is serious about digitizing operations.

The Top 5 Benefits of Choosing a Urology-Specific EHR

The market is full of competitive EHR solutions that promise to streamline patient care. That’s why it’s very important to select software that is specifically built for urology settings.

Choosing a urology-specific EHR solution can help your practice enjoy the following benefits.

1. Happier and healthier patients

By investing in a purpose-built EHR solution, urologists can access all of their patients’ medical records with a few taps. This enables them to reclaim considerable amounts of time that they can then spend focusing more intently on each patient.

Additionally, leading EHR solutions integrate with telehealth platforms, which improves the patient experience by meeting their expectations about what healthcare should look like in the modern era.

To illustrate, recent research indicates urology patients are largely on board with telehealth, with 85 percent expressing satisfaction about their visit. Further, 91 percent say they feel comfortable sharing sensitive information with a healthcare provider over a telehealth platform.

With a robust EHR platform in place, you can improve the quality of each visit while reducing no-shows and making it easier for patients to stay on track with their treatments.

Add it all up, and your practice will be filled with happier and healthier patients.

2. Stronger profits

A urology-specific EHR app gives practice managers and physicians access to tools they need to schedule appointments, process data and lab reports, and serve patients — all in a few clicks. As a result, your practice is able to accomplish more in the same amount of time, which increases your margins and drives profitability.

3. Better reviews

In the digital age, it comes as no surprise that three out of four patients research doctors online before booking an appointment. As a result, it’s critical that you do everything you can to encourage positive public reviews.

A urology-specific EHR platform can give your facility everything it needs to engage with patients between visits and ensure their health and happiness. This, in turn, can foster loyalty and lead to better online reviews and recommendations — which makes it that much easier to attract new patients.

4. Less stress

Studies suggest that urologists tend to have higher rates of burnout compared to physicians in other specialties (up to 63.6 percent).

Using urology-specific software can reduce backend administrative work, preventing staff members from sorting through endless volumes of paperwork. This reduces the likelihood of burnout and decreases the chances employees look for other jobs.

5. Increased security and compliance

Urology providers are collecting more patient data than ever, which is driving the need for strong security measures. In the age of breaches, it’s more important than ever for patient data to stay protected.

By helping store, manage, and protect data, a urology-specific EHR solution can help urologists comply with regulations like HIPAA and keep sensitive patient data secure.

How to Choose an EHR Partner

Selecting a urology EHR software partner isn’t easy when considering how many providers there are on the market. For the best results, it’s a good idea to do your due diligence and demo platforms to find the right fit.

As you begin the process of searching for the best EHR system for your urology practice, here are some tips to keep in mind.

Make sure it has an intuitive mobile app

Most patients today are on their phones 24/7. As such, it pays to select software that comes with a mobile app that enables patients to securely log in and access healthcare information on the go.

Look for a secure patient portal

Patients should have 24-hour access to their health data from any location. This portal should allow them to track vitals, send messages, set appointments, and pay bills, among other things.

Prioritize digital intake

Additionally, the app should also make it possible to ditch paper intake forms and go completely digital. Ideally, you should select an EHR app that lets you create custom forms, upload patient insurance, and merge chart information.