Open source EHR systems have gained popularity because they are less expensive than proprietary commercial EHRs. Also, open source systems have better interoperability and customization capabilities which can be especially useful when hospitals or other healthcare facilities choose to implement them as part of their local solutions to meet Federal Health IT Standards like Stage 2 Meaningful Use objectives and other meaningful use criteria under the HITECH Act (Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009) in the United States. With that said, there are many open source EHRs available today.
Open-Source EHR: Benefits
The benefits of open-source EHR systems are clear: the software is free, customizable, and easy to use. Many providers have used these systems for their small practices and found them helpful for a variety of reasons.
Many doctors who have used this software find it beneficial because the system is customizable. This means that they can add or remove any aspects that they want, including drug doses and other medical information.
Open-Source EHRs are also easy to use. All you need is an internet connection and a PC to run the software. It doesn’t require expensive installation or maintenance costs like many proprietary EHR systems do. In fact, most of the time all you need to do is register on the site with your email address and choose which features you want on your website.
This means that using an open-source product could be less expensive than going with a proprietary product in some cases. But there are still downsides to keep in mind.
For example, if the code is available publicly there may be security issues such as data breaches or bugs that affect how well the program functions. And another downside is that customization takes more work when compare to proprietary EHR systems where everything has already been built out for you. But overall, there are many benefits associate with open-source products and more people should look into it as an option when choosing their next system!
The Top Open Source EHR Systems to Consider
1. OpenMRS & Hippo
OpenMRS is an open source, free and modular software which is design for developing, deploying and managing healthcare information systems. The system has been develop from the ground up with sustainability in mind. Using web-based and open source technologies, the design of the system allows for scalability, interoperability and adaptability. OpenMRS is written in Java with a large number of developers contributing actively to its development.
Hippo: Hippo is an integrate set of enterprise management tools that are completely customizable to suit the needs of any organization. It’s use to organizations worldwide such as Walgreens, UC Berkeley, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Centrelink Australia and more.
2. Greenway and Spok Health IT
Greenway Health IT is an open-source, web-based system that was developed by Greenway Medical Technologies. The software includes a patient portal for patients to view their health information on any device. It also provides streaming video consultations with physicians and other providers.
Spok:- Developed by Infor, Spok offers a robust suite of functionality for clinical processes across ambulatory and hospital settings. The software allows users to store medical records, track workflows, monitor schedules and tasks as well as see demographic data about the population being served.
3. Allscripts Sunrise Clinical Manager
Allscripts Sunrise Clinical Manager is a comprehensive, integrate healthcare software solution designed for hospitals and healthcare organizations of all sizes. It can be customized with modular add-ons and interfaces, making it flexible enough to meet the needs of any size hospital.
The system offers clinical care documentation, data management and analytics, medication management tools, workflow management tools, reporting and analytics tools that produce KPIs that are vital to maintaining accreditation standards. The entire system has been designed in compliance with Joint Commission guidelines (JCAHO) as well as meaningful use criteria for Stage 1 & 2 of Medicare/Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Programs.
4. Epic (Allegiance)
Epic is a strong open-source contender for anyone looking for a complete, customizable, and cloud-based electronic health records (EHR) system. Allegiance offers Epic enterprise users the opportunity to purchase a commercial license while maintaining the majority of the Epic functionality. This also means that any Epic user with an Allegiance subscription can download and deploy their software at no additional cost. Epic’s electronic health records (EHR) are among the most widely Over 100,000 providers use the product including 60% of all US hospitals. According to CMS, 95% of all Medicare patients receive care within 20 miles of a clinic or hospital using Epic’s EHR so the vast majority will be cared for by providers who use their software.
5. HIE Medical Management System
The HIE Medical Management System is available as an open-source application that can be download and install on virtually any operating system. It is a highly customizable, modular system that can be tailored to the needs of each organization. The system was design with quality in mind and is created using standards from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The HIE Medical Management System also has a very robust reporting capability. Reports can be generated for everything from compliance audits to simple reports needed by management. Reports are typically easy to generate, easy to customize and well structured making them straightforward to read and understand.
The HIE Medical Management System does not require high technical knowledge or skills and it is compatible with other systems such as HL7 interfaces, LabView integration modules, Voice over IP telephony integrations etc.
6. Medsphere Warehouse Management System
The Medsphere Warehouse Management System is a business software solution that helps hospitals maintain their inventory. The system can be use to track and manage the location of each item in the inventory, as well as its current status. In addition, it can be use for managing assets and assets’ lifecycle. Epicor Inventory is designe for manufacturing companies that are looking for an easy-to-use interface. It allows businesses to keep tabs on all the data relating to materials and parts, from sourcing information to cost breakdowns.
7. Practice Fusion
Practice Fusion is a cloud-based electronic health record (EHR) system that was design specifically for small medical practices. It is HIPAA compliant, and offers a free version of its software. The company boasts that it has the most intuitive interface on the market, with features like text and photo notes, reminder alerts, and patient portal access. that also has an app which allows you to check your schedule, review lab results and send prescriptions on the go.
8. Time Matters Healthcare Solutions
Time Matters Healthcare Solutions is a complete electronic health records system that includes inpatient and outpatient medical, dental, and allied health record modules. The system has been fully certified as an EMR, CPOE and PACS by the ONC.
The Time Matters Healthcare Solution contains both ambulatory and inpatient facilities. It also offers a full suite of practice management applications for physicians. The software can be use with Windows, Linux or Macintosh operating systems. Additional features include e-prescribing, secure messaging and patient portal access for outpatients. With its advanced design for easy navigation, this software is user-friendly and intuitive to use.
9. Periotex MSS
PerioteX MSS is an open-source electronic health record system (EHR) that can be used by any type of organization, no matter their size. It provides a wide range of clinical functionality, including patient registration, secure messaging between providers and patients, and patient data management. The free application is available in more than 40 languages and it’s compatible with Windows, Mac OS X, Linux and Solaris operating systems.
