Legacy Systems And The Impact on Patient Logistics and Care
From admissions to transportation and handoffs to discharging and home health, an accurate patient record is arguably at the core of good patient care. Electronic Health Records (EHRs) are not only essential for managing patient data, but have the potential to streamline healthcare processes. Many are still held within legacy systems that are built on outdated technology stacks, leading to subpar user experiences and often creating more work for healthcare professionals.
With a particular focus on the effect of outdated EHRs on tasks such as scheduling non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) rides, we’ve identified three challenges of legacy systems and a complementary solution to tackle them.
The Challenges of Legacy Systems
1. Poor User Experience
One of the most significant issues reported by healthcare professionals working with legacy EHR systems is a poor user experience. These systems often feature complex, unintuitive, and difficult to navigate interfaces making it hard to access crucial information. As a result, healthcare providers may spend more time wrestling with EHR systems than focusing on patient care, leading to decreased efficiency and increased job frustration.
2. Inefficient Processes
Legacy EHR systems can create inefficiencies in various processes, including scheduling NEMT rides. With outdated technology, healthcare professionals often face manual data entry and cumbersome scheduling workflows that can lead to errors and delays. (Read about the current state of NEMT scheduling in hospitals here.) These inefficiencies not only consume valuable time, but can also negatively impact patient care, as patients may experience delays in receiving essential medical services.
3. Limited Integration Capabilities
Many legacy EHR systems lack the flexibility and integration capabilities necessary to work seamlessly with other modern healthcare solutions. This limitation can hinder healthcare providers from adopting innovative technologies that could streamline operations and improve patient care, ultimately perpetuating reliance on inefficient legacy systems.
A Complementary Solution That Embraces Interoperability
Healthcare providers can overcome the challenges posed by legacy EHR systems by adopting complementary solutions designed to work alongside these systems. A patient logistics platform such as VectorCare is designed to work seamlessly with existing EHR systems, offering modern technology stacks and enhanced user experiences that can streamline various processes, including NEMT ride scheduling, and improve overall patient logistics.
Interoperability is the ability of computer systems, devices, and healthcare software and applications to exchange and make use of data. “Interoperability is essential for navigating legacy systems and ensuring that healthcare providers can leverage innovative technologies without abandoning their existing infrastructure,” says VectorCare CEO David Emanuel. “By embracing interoperable solutions, healthcare providers can bridge the gap between legacy EHR systems and modern healthcare solutions, resulting in more efficient processes and improved patient care.”
Here are 3 key ways VectorCare is addressing the challenges of legacy systems:
1. Seamless Integration with EHR Systems
VectorCare's platform is designed to integrate with existing EHR systems, providing healthcare professionals with a more modern, intuitive interface that complements their current infrastructure.
2. Efficient NEMT Ride Scheduling
VectorCare simplifies the process of scheduling NEMT rides by automating workflows and centralizing scheduling. This not only saves time for healthcare professionals, but also reduces the risk of errors and delays, ultimately improving patient care.
3. Enhanced User Experience
With a modern technology stack and user-friendly interface, VectorCare offers healthcare professionals an enhanced user experience that reduces frustration and increases efficiency when working with EHR systems.
Read more about how VectorCare is problem-solving within the patient logistics landscape and streamlining healthcare operations with innovative technological solutions here.