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how does custom healthcare software improve patient care

How Does Custom Healthcare (aka Digital Health) Software Improve Patient Care?

Technology makes a big difference in how patients are cared for in healthcare. Custom healthcare software, specifically designed for the unique needs of healthcare providers and patient care, plays a crucial role in this journey. Reading this one could see how Custom Software is Digital Health. Well, you would be correct. 

This blog explores how custom healthcare software (aka Digital Health) improves patient care. From making things easier for healthcare professionals to keeping patient information safe and accessible, custom software brings a personalized touch to healthcare services. Let’s dive into the ways it makes a real impact!

10 Benefits of Custom Healthcare (aka Digital Health) Software Development

  1. Improve Patient Care and Outcomes

Custom healthcare software has the potential to reshape patient care and outcomes. By automating routine tasks, centralizing patient information, and fostering real-time collaboration among healthcare providers, custom solutions reduce errors, enhance accuracy, and elevate the overall quality of care. Additionally, personalized features empower healthcare professionals to access critical information, make timely decisions, and provide tailored treatment plans. Patients benefit from 24/7 access to their medical records, appointment scheduling, and seamless communication with their healthcare providers.

For instance, automated reminders for medication intake or follow-up appointments ensure patients adhere to their treatment plans, resulting in improved health outcomes. Additionally, personalized features within the software enable healthcare professionals to access specific patient data, such as allergies or previous treatments, promptly during consultations, contributing to more informed decision-making and tailored treatment plans.

  1. Increase Efficiency and Productivity

A key advantage of custom healthcare software is its ability to streamline workflows and automate time-consuming tasks. By eliminating manual processes and optimizing administrative functions, healthcare staff can redirect their focus toward direct patient care, reducing burdens and increasing overall productivity. Custom software automates appointment scheduling, medication management, billing processes, and data entry, liberating valuable time for healthcare professionals.

For example, automated appointment scheduling reduces administrative staff’s workload and ensures patients receive timely and convenient access to healthcare services. Medication management can automate prescription refills and dosage reminders, minimizing errors and improving patient adherence. This streamlined approach allows healthcare staff to allocate more time to direct patient care, enhancing overall productivity.

  1. Enhanced Data Security and Privacy

With nearly one-third of significant data breaches occurring in hospitals, data security and privacy are paramount concerns. When done well, custom healthcare software serves as a fortress, strengthening data security and privacy. By implementing strict security measures and ensuring compliance with industry regulations, custom solutions guard against unauthorized access or breaches. This protects patient information and instills trust in both patients and healthcare providers, fostering a secure environment for the exchange and storage of sensitive medical data.

For example, multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access sensitive information. Compliance features within the software automate adherence to data protection regulations, such as HIPAA, demonstrating a commitment to maintaining the highest data security standards.

  1. Seamless Integration and Interoperability

This interoperability empowers healthcare providers to access comprehensive patient records, including medical history, lab results, and medication information, all in one centralized location.  Integration with diagnostic equipment, such as laboratory machines or imaging devices, allows for automatic updating of patient records, reducing the chances of oversight and improving the accuracy of diagnoses. Enhanced data exchange and integration improve care coordination among healthcare professionals, leading to more informed decision-making and ultimately, improved patient outcomes.

  1. Improved Communication Between Patients and Healthcare Providers

Effective communication is the cornerstone of quality healthcare. Custom healthcare software facilitates improved communication between patients and healthcare providers. Patients gain a more active role in their healthcare journey with secure online platforms that provide access to medical records, appointment scheduling, and direct communication with healthcare professionals. Communication can be asynchronous via email messaging or realtime via virtual meetings reducing the need for in person visits.  This enhances patient satisfaction and contributes to better-informed decision-making on the part of healthcare providers.

  1. Enhanced Remote Monitoring 

Custom healthcare software is pivotal in advancing remote patient monitoring and personal decision-making. For example, a custom application can integrate wearable devices that continuously monitor patients’ vital signs and send real-time data to healthcare providers. This seamless integration enables timely interventions, preventive care, and better management of chronic conditions.  Having this data allows a patient to make better-informed decisions on their own as well.

  1. Tailored Clinical Decision Support Systems

Custom healthcare software can incorporate sophisticated clinical decision support systems tailored to the specific needs of healthcare professionals. For instance, an application designed for oncologists might include advanced algorithms that analyze complex genetic data to recommend personalized treatment plans for cancer patients. 

  1. Efficient Inventory Management for Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies

Streamlining inventory management is another tangible benefit of custom healthcare software. A customized solution can track pharmaceuticals and medical supplies in real-time, ensuring that healthcare facilities maintain optimal stock levels. By automating the inventory replenishment process, healthcare providers can prevent shortages or excesses, reducing waste and ensuring the availability of critical medications. This efficiency enhances patient safety by preventing medication errors and contributes to cost savings for healthcare institutions.

  1. Patient Engagement through Mobile Applications

Custom healthcare software extends its impact through patient engagement mobile applications. For example, a custom app can provide personalized health tips, medication reminders, and interactive features that encourage patients to participate in their wellness journeys actively. These applications can also facilitate secure communication between patients and healthcare providers, fostering continuous engagement and adherence to treatment plans. 

  1. Enhanced Analytics for Continuous Quality Improvement

Custom healthcare software can incorporate robust analytics tools to monitor and assess the performance of healthcare processes and interventions. For instance, the software can analyze patient outcomes, treatment effectiveness, and adherence to clinical protocols. By leveraging data-driven insights, healthcare providers can identify areas for improvement, refine treatment strategies, and implement evidence-based practices. This continuous quality improvement cycle ensures that healthcare services evolve based on real-world data, leading to better patient care, optimized workflows, and enhanced healthcare outcomes.

Benefits of Choosing Estenda Solutions for Custom Healthcare Software (aka Digital Health) Development

  • Experienced Team

With more than 20 years of experience, our team of developers possesses a deep understanding of the healthcare and medical industries and the specific needs of these organizations.

  • Scalable Solutions

We build scalable solutions that can grow alongside your organization’s evolving needs.

  • Secure and Compliant

Committed to developing secure and compliant software, we ensure adherence to all HIPAA regulations and data privacy standards.

  • Cost-Effective

Our competitive rates and flexible payment options make custom software development affordable for your organization.

  • Dedicated Support

We provide dedicated support throughout the entire development process, from initial consultation to ongoing maintenance and updates.

Specific Examples of Custom Healthcare (aka Digital Health) Software Applications we can help you build

  • Electronic Health Records (EHRs) Integration

EHRs are here to stay.  Data is trapped in the patient record.  Estenda can help integrate 3rd party solutions with your EHR to securely share information with the healthcare team and patients. Integrating 3rd party solutions enables making the most/best use of the data.  Estenda can also extract the data for use in clinical trials and other research projects.  

  • Patient Portals

Secure online platforms allow patients to access medical records, schedule appointments, and communicate with healthcare providers.

  • Mobile Patient Applications

Meet patients where they’re at. Their smart phones.  Estenda can build a custom mobile solution to address chronic conditions, remote monitoring, communication, behavior change, or clinical trials data collection.

  • Remote Monitoring Solutions

Data collection is becoming more passive. Data volumes are increasing. Data types are expanding.  Estenda can help collect, manage, and make sense of this plethora of data.  We can help develop solutions to find the salient points and provide meaningful advice to patients and healthcare professionals.

  • Clinical Decision Support (CDS) Systems

Using the data collected from the EHR and patient remote monitoring, Estenda can help develop CDS algorithms and systems based on clinically validated approaches and evidence-based practices.  No longer can you just present data to healthcare professionals. Time is precious.  Find meaningful information and make recommendations. Help with the decision-making process. 

  • Clinical Data Management Solutions

Once a solution is developed, it needs to be tested.  Not just technically, but clinically. Estenda has a rich 20-year history of involvement with planning, executing, and analyzing clinical data. We’ve been clinical trial management systems. We’ve analyzed data. We’ve published in peer review journals. Talk to us today to explore how we can help you.

  • AI/ML

AI/ML, not just generative AI, chatbot solutions are becoming the norm in healthcare.  Estenda has experience with AI/ML on multiple projects with a variety of partners.  Talk to us today to explore how we can help you.

At Estenda Solutions, our expertise lies in crafting tailor-made software solutions for the healthcare and medical industry. As a certified healthcare software development and consulting company adhering to ISO 13485 standards, we have been at the forefront of advancing digital health since 2003.

Now that you know how does custom healthcare software improve patient care, ready to innovate with us? Reach out today at (484) 362-1200 or info@estenda.com

No obligations, just endless possibilities!