When our digital marketing team brainstormed this topic, we wanted to first understand from our existing clients what took them so long to switch to a new and better EHR. And answers were as diverse as we could expect them to be.
Some clients shared that, having already endured the effort of digitizing medical records, training staff, and investing heavily in their current system, they were reluctant to undergo the same process again. Others expressed comfort with their long-standing EHR and feared that adopting new technology might disrupt their productivity.
What surprised us most was that many didn’t realize switching to a more effective EHR was even an option. They believed things were how they were currently and meant to be dealt with rather than replaced.
In this article, we will share 6 of the most alarming signs, which, when you see them in your EHRs, clearly indicate that it is high time you switch!
Let’s begin with the first one.
When using your EHR feels more like an obligation rather than a tool that enhances efficiency, it’s a red flag. Your staff spends more time navigating through convoluted menus; it takes several clicks to locate a patient’s historical data or you find yourself toggling between multiple screens just to write a prescription, then it’s clear your system is either outdated or poorly designed.
Simply put:
If you or your clinical staff feel that it is more convenient to go back to paper files than to use the hectic EHR system, it is time you switch.
Every practice has its own workflows, priorities, and requirements. But what if your EHR enforces a ‘one size fits all’ approach and compels you to manually adjust fields, add unnecessary steps, or create external spreadsheets to capture the data you need? When you find your team constantly trying to modify workflows to fit the software, rather than the other way around, it’s a sign that your EHR isn’t made for you.
In other words:
If your EHR is not as specialized as you are in your practice, we recommend you explore other options.
Frequent crashes, slow load times, and data sync failures have become just another aspect of your existing EHR technology. You are frustrated because of losing patient data during a consultation or having to reschedule an appointment because the system is down. When you catch your staff constantly complaining about compatibility problems, your system is clearly holding you back.
In simple terms:
If you are greeted every other day with a problem and not a solution, then you must consider a switch.
As your practice expands, your EHR should grow with you. But, on the contrary, you find your EHR struggling to accommodate more users, larger datasets, or new integrations, and you’re forced to rely on workarounds or additional tools, it’s a sign your system isn’t built for scalability.
To summarize:
If you feel you are forcing your EHR to listen to you, it’s time for an upgrade.
Plain and simple:
If you think your EHR is not as social as you want it to be, then please move on.
You have reported a critical issue with your EHR or RCM system, but the vendor takes days or even weeks to resolve it. The support team consistently falls short in providing timely updates or offering adequate training, and you are provided with a new set of fees/charges even if the request is as small as adding a custom report, modifying a template, or fixing a billing code, then you have yet to meet the right vendor.
In essence:
If you feel you are not getting the best return on your investments, it is time you look for a better alternative. It’s time to find a better partner.
Consider switching your EHR if your current system:
In a recent study, 19% of participants expressed significant dissatisfaction with their existing EHR, while 11% reported feeling neutral. Even among the 70% who were satisfied, many acknowledged that their current systems would fall short of addressing future demands.
In this light, choosing an EHR that is future-ready becomes inevitable, and we are here to guide you. With just 4 simple steps, you can find an EHR that not only fulfills today’s requirements but also embraces a proactive approach to upcoming challenges.
Step#1 Begin with an EHR needs assessment
Step#2 Familiarize yourself with different types of EHR
Step#3 Evaluate critical EHR components
Step#4 Select, compare, and finalize the vendor
For a deeper dive into this process, refer to our latest blog on How to Find the Right EHR
Discover the signs it’s time to switch and explore better EHR solutions for streamlined workflows and improved patient care.