In the US, EHR solutions form the heart of healthcare reform. Healthcare companies often require a software product that helps align all digital processes with their internal systems. The global EHR solution market size was estimated at USD 32.23 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 4.43% from 2024 to 2030, reflecting the increasing adoption of digital transformation in healthcare.
Choosing the right EHR solution is a challenge for many medical organizations. Every business is different, and requirements can vary based on your organization’s size and type, objectives, and goals.
Healthcare organizations usually get stuck while choosing between ready-made and custom EHR software. But first, let’s take a look at what is an EHR system and then at the pros and cons of each solution to identify which one is appropriate.
What is an EHR System?
An EHR (electronic health record) is the electronic version of a patient’s paper chart. It is real-time, patient-oriented records that make patient information available securely and instantly.
Although an EHR solution contains the medical and treatment records of patients, an EHR system goes beyond basic clinical data collected and has a wider view of a patient’s care. It is an important part of healthcare software development and can:
- Enclose a patient’s medical record, medications, diagnoses, immunization dates, allergies, radiology images, treatment plans, and test results.
- Grant access to evidence-based tools that doctors may use to make decisions about a patient’s care.
- Streamline and automate a doctor’s workflow.
One of the key features of the EHR solution is that health data can be created and managed by certified doctors in an electronic format capable of being shared with other doctors at another healthcare organization. Thus, EHRs contain patient information from all clinicians involved.
Ready-Made EHRs Solutions
Pros of Ready-made EHRs
✅ Industry-Specific EHR: As these EHRs are industry-specific, it is likely to meet most requirements of a company's affordable up-front costs.
✅ Lower Development Costs: Development costs are scattered between a large number of end-users. Ready-made EHR software is an attractive option if you have a limited budget.
✅ Feature-Rich Solution: Ready-made EHRs have several features that a company might start using with time as it evolves.
✅ Ongoing Support & Maintenance: Users are assured that any software problems are timely addressed as vendors usually provide maintenance and support services.
Cons of Ready-made EHRs
❌ Limited Functionality: Healthcare specialists don’t always require the full functionality of a ready-made EHR solution or may require other features that are not available. Users can ask the provider or a third-party to add more functionality to the system. However, this means extra costs.
❌ Unexpected Costs: Medical organizations have to pay for support services, different licenses, upgrades, etc. Thus, the system’s final cost can be higher than what the user expected.
❌ Security & Compatibility Risks: At times ready-made apps can fail to comply with the security requirements or the user’s hardware may not be powerful enough to run them smoothly.
❌ Vendor Lock-in: Dependency on a particular system could limit options in buying software for other uses.
Custom EHRs Solutions
Pros of Custom EHR Solutions
✅ Custom Features & Ease of Use – Custom EHRs include only the necessary features, making adoption seamless. Developers focus on business needs, ensuring a user-friendly experience with minimal learning time.
✅ Security & Compatibility – Fully aligns with security, hardware, and software requirements. Custom solutions ensure compliance with industry standards while eliminating risks associated with off-the-shelf software.
✅ One-Time Cost, No Fees – No recurring licensing or additional charges, reducing long-term expenses. Organizations only pay for what they need, making it a cost-effective investment.
✅ Fast Support & Seamless Integration – Direct vendor support and smooth workflow integration ensure efficiency. Custom EHRs work with existing processes, avoiding disruptions and minimizing downtime.
Cons of Custom EHR Solutions
❌ High Upfront Costs: Custom EHR products generally have high upfront costs. The costs can be recuperated through overtime eventually creating a positive ROI
❌ Long Development Time: Software development can be a lengthy process. Medical organizations should understand that they will not get their desired EHR solution in a week or two.
❌ Execution Team Dependency: Custom EHR solutions has a dependency on the execution team to build the product. It is hence, always advisable to choose among established players
Differences between Ready-Made vs. Custom EHR
When choosing an EHR solution, organizations often debate between ready-made and custom options. Here's how they compare across key factors:
💰 Cost
Ready-made EHR usually have a lower initial cost as they are pre-built and ready to deploy. Custom EHR solutions, while more expensive upfront, provide better long-term value by aligning with specific business needs.
⚙️ Functionality
Ready-made solutions come with predefined features that may not address all organizational requirements. Custom EHR solutions are designed to meet unique workflows, ensuring all functionalities are tailored to the healthcare provider’s needs.
⌛ Implementation Time
Ready-made solutions offer faster deployment as they are pre-configured. Custom EHR solutions take longer to develop and implement but offer a system perfectly aligned with internal processes and workflows.
⛑️ Support and Maintenance
With ready-made EHRs, support depends on the vendor's service policies and updates. Custom solutions provide personalized support and flexibility for modifications as per the provider's needs.
🛡️ Compliance
Ready-made solutions may not fully comply with specific regulatory requirements like HIPAA, depending on the vendor. Custom EHR solutions can be designed to meet all compliance standards, ensuring the security and privacy of patient data.
Choosing between ready-made and custom EHR solutions depends on budget, timelines, and the need for tailored functionality and compliance. Understanding organizational priorities is crucial to making the right decision.
Key Features of an EHR system
👉Your Digital Health File
Imagine it’s like your super organized folder for health stuff but on a computer. It keeps track of everything about your health – from medicines to allergies, even your X-rays and doctor’s plans.
👉Helps Doctors Decide
It’s not just a bunch of records! This system has tools that help doctors choose the best treatment for you. It’s like having a smart helper for your doctor.
👉Makes Work Easier for Doctors
Just like how your favorite robot vacuum cleans your house, this system helps doctors work smoothly. It handles a lot of their paperwork, so they can focus more on helping you.
👉Shares Health Info Securely
Imagine this system is like a secret keeper. It keeps your health secrets safe and only shares them with other doctors when needed. It’s like having a super-locked diary that only trusted people can read.
👉Connects All Your Doctors
It’s like having a group chat for your doctors! This system lets all your doctors see the same info about you. So, no matter where you go, they’re all on the same page about your health.
Read more: Benefits and Challenges of The Electronic Health Record
Cost Factors Influencing Custom EHR Development
Implementing a custom Electronic Health Record (EHR) system involves several cost factors that decision-makers should consider. Here's a detailed breakdown:
1️⃣ Software Development and Licensing
🔹 Custom Development Costs: Creating a bespoke EHR solution tailored to specific organizational needs can range from $50,000 to $500,000, depending on complexity and features.
🔹 Licensing Fees: While custom solutions may not have traditional licensing fees, integrating third-party modules or tools could incur additional costs.
2️⃣ Hardware and Infrastructure
🔹 Servers and Networking Equipment: On-premises solutions require significant investment in servers and networking hardware, with costs ranging from $10,000 to $50,000.
🔹 Workstations and Mobile Devices: Equipping staff with necessary devices can cost between $1,000 to $10,000 per unit.
3️⃣ Implementation Services
🔹 System Configuration and Integration: Aligning the EHR system with existing workflows and ensuring seamless integration can cost between $2,000 to $10,000.
🔹 Data Migration: Transferring existing patient records to the new system is crucial and can range from $10,000 to $50,000, depending on data volume and complexity.
4️⃣ Training and Support
🔹 Initial Training: Educating staff on the new system is essential, with costs typically ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 per staff member.
🔹 Ongoing Support and Maintenance: Annual expenses for system updates, security patches, and technical support can amount to $2,000 to $10,000.
5️⃣ Compliance and Security
🔹 Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring the EHR system meets standards such as HIPAA may require an investment of $5,000 to $20,000 annually.
🔹 Security Measures: Implementing robust security protocols to protect patient data can add $2,000 to $10,000 per year.
6️⃣ Opportunity Costs
🔹 Productivity Loss During Transition: Organizations may experience a temporary decline in productivity as staff adapt to the new system, leading to potential revenue losses.
Understanding these cost components provides an overview of the financial investment required for custom EHR development.
How Mindbowser Can Help You Make the Right Choice with EHR Solution for Your Healthcare Organization?
Selecting the ideal EHR solution is critical for streamlining healthcare operations, ensuring compliance, and improving patient care. The choice between ready-made and custom EHR solutions depends on your organization’s unique needs, goals, and budget.
Mindbowser brings expertise in guiding healthcare organizations through this decision-making process. Our team evaluates your requirements, workflows, and compliance needs to recommend the most suitable EHR solution. Whether it’s deploying a ready-made system or building a custom EHR platform, we provide end-to-end support, ensuring a seamless implementation and ongoing success. Let us help you optimize your healthcare operations with the right EHR choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a custom ehr?
A Custom EHR (Electronic Health Record) is a tailor-made software solution designed to meet the specific needs of a healthcare organization. Unlike ready-made EHRs, custom solutions are built from the ground up, ensuring seamless integration with existing workflows, security compliance, and only the features required by the organization. This approach allows for greater flexibility, scalability, and efficiency in managing patient records and healthcare operations.
- Can EHR systems be customized?
Yes, EHR systems can be customized to fit the specific needs of a healthcare organization. Customization can range from modifying existing off-the-shelf EHR software to developing a fully custom EHR from scratch. This allows medical providers to tailor features, workflows, integrations, and security measures to their exact requirements, ensuring better efficiency, compliance, and user experience.
- How much does it cost to build a custom EHR?
The cost of building a Custom EHR varies based on several factors, including the features, integrations, security requirements, and compliance needs. On average, a basic custom EHR can start from $100,000 to $300,000, while a fully-featured enterprise EHR with advanced capabilities can cost $500,000 or more. Additional costs may include maintenance, cloud hosting, and ongoing support. However, unlike off-the-shelf solutions, custom EHRs eliminate recurring licensing fees and offer a long-term return on investment.
- What are the benefits of custom EHR solutions over ready-made ones?
Custom EHR solutions are like personalized tools for healthcare organizations. They’re made to fit exactly what each organization needs. This means they can have features that are just right for them. When everything fits perfectly, it can lead to better care for patients.
- How can I identify the right EHR solution for my organization?
To identify the right EHR solution, you should assess your organization’s needs, consider key features, functionalities, and integration, and evaluate the user interface and regulatory compliance.
- What factors should I consider when selecting an EHR system?
Critical factors to consider when selecting an EHR system include assessing your organization’s needs, identifying key features, considering integration and interoperability, researching available vendors, and checking for regulatory compliance.
- How can I develop a plan to choose the right EHR solution for my practice?
The process of choosing the right EHR solution involves identifying decision makers, clarifying goals, writing a request for proposal, selecting recipients, and reviewing and making an informed decision.
Pravin Uttarwar , CTO of Mindbowser
Pravin has 16+ years of experience in the tech industry. A high-energy individual who loves to use out-of-the-box thinking to solve problems. He not only brings technical expertise to the table but also wears an entrepreneurial hat – benefiting any project with cost savings and adding more value to business strategy.
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Pravin Uttarwar , CTO of Mindbowser
Pravin has 16+ years of experience in the tech industry. A high-energy individual who loves to use out-of-the-box thinking to solve problems. He not only brings technical expertise to the table but also wears an entrepreneurial hat – benefiting any project with cost savings and adding more value to business strategy.
