ASSIGNMENT- 1

Topic: Explain various type of software’s used in healthcare industry, their uses,
advantages and disadvantages.

Software: It is a instructions that tell a computer what to do. Software comprises the entire set of
programs, procedures, and routines associated with the operation of a computer system. The term
was coined to differentiate these instructions from hardware—i.e., the physical components of a
computer system. A set of instructions that directs a computer’s hardware to perform a task is called
a program, or software program.
Nowadays various types of software’s are being used in the healthcare industry to increase the
efficiency and efficacy of the organisation.

Software

Electronic
Medical Hospital Medical Medical Appointment Electronic
health
diagnosis management imaging billing booking prescription
record
software software Software software software software
software

Fig.: Chart showing types of software being used in healthcare industry

1. Electronic health record software (EHR)

With Electronic Health Record Software, it has now become very efficient to keep track of the
patient's health records compared to the traditional ways of manually writing it or storing it. EHR
is a broader term used for the software which collects information on the patients' medication, the
treatment prescribed by their doctors, or the more advent, keeping track of their payments,
invoices in the past or present. This is further divided into two categories - Electronic Patient
Record and Electronic Medical Record.
There are various EHR software in the market such as Halemind, Kareo Clinical, iPatientcare
HER, CareCloud Charts etc.
Advantages:

• Providing accurate, up-to-date, and complete information about patients at the point of care •
Enabling quick access to patient records for more coordinated, efficient care.
 • Helping providers more effectively diagnose patients, reduce medical errors, and provide
safer care.
• Improving patient and provider interaction and communication, as well as health care
convenience.
• Enhancing privacy and security of patient data.
• Reducing costs through decreased paperwork, improved safety, reduced duplication of
testing, and improved health.
Disadvantages:

• Staff and doctors need training to use EHR.

• Hacking of the system could occur.
• Financial issues as EHR are expensive.
• Needs constant update, if not updated can lead to errors in diagnosis or treatment.
• Patients concerns for confidentiality.

2. Medical Diagnosis Software

As the name itself suggests, this type of software is deployed by medical professionals who often
with the help of AI, exchange the patients' information to generate their accurate diagnosis. It
proved to be a very helpful medical software invention during the emergence of COVID-19 that
helped to generate information regarding the health condition of the individual or how critical it
was, through a mobile application.
Face2gene app, Chatbots, Isabel, Human Dx, etc. are example of AI integrated medical
diagnostic software’s.

Advantages:
• Helps in identifying disease and diagnosis.
• Diagnosis through medical imaging
• Tailored medicines for individuals
• Data gathering
• Health record with intelligence Disadvantages:

• Data mismatch.
• Concerns for confidentiality
• Data can be hacked.

3. Hospital Management software/ Scheduling software

Hospital management software is all about optimizing administrative tasks. An HMS software
could tackle routine things such as scheduling appointments or organizing financial information.
Hospital management software helps your administration staff save time as well as be flexible.
You can optimize and review data concerning workflows, identify and store finances, and
enhance patient care.
Hospital management software may also provide you with key medical capabilities such as:
 • Text messaging for patients
• File or image sharing
• Routine notifications for patients
• Security enhancements
• Emergency information when necessary.

AllScripts Healthcare, Medixcel EMR and HIS, Caresoft hospital information system, eHospital
etc. are some of the best HMS software in this field.

Advantages:
• Automated updates and reminders.
• Well organised appointment charts and workflows.
• Increased administrative efficiency.
• Detail-oriented financial management.
• Easy insurance claim processing & discharge process, etc.
Disadvantage:

• The high cost of software development and deployment.

• Complex design in terms of User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX Design)
• Fear of data security breach.
• Difficulty in migrating from manual processes, because both staff and patients are used to the
manual processes and so are unable to speedily cope with the new system.
• A Huge influx of patients visiting government hospitals makes the process of migrating to
automated processes highly difficult. They do not have the patience to wait for registration
and data entry and often fail to understand the functioning of automated processes.

4. Medical Imaging Software/Radiology Imaging Software(RIS)

Medical imaging software provides healthcare providers with the means to generate, record,
store, compare and analyse patient medical images. It also gives healthcare professionals the ease
of handling and further process MRI, PET, or CT scans. This is only expected to grow further
with advanced 3D and 4D imaging technologies.
The most prominent players of the market are companies such as Siemens, IBM corporation, GE
Healthcare and others.

Advantages:
• Use built-in AI algorithms present in some medical imaging solutions to identify any possible
deviations from the norm.
• RIS solutions streamline the process of data storage, making sure that the data is being passed
along securely and swiftly.
• Allows both patients and doctors to access data conveniently at any moment.
• Most medical imaging software databases store data/images of each client chronologically. •
Enabling Non-Radiology Medical Professionals to Interpret the Image Data on Their Own.
 Disadvantages:

• Initial expenditure is high.

• Risk of system become obsolete.
• Hard copy image fade with time.
• Image manipulation can be done.
• Security concerns.

5. Medical Billing Software’s

Medical billing software is a type of healthcare software used by healthcare organizations to
automate their manual billing tasks. The primary function of medical billing software is to help a
provider increase their collections by avoiding repetitive and cumbersome administrative tasks.
DrChrono, Kareo Billing, CureMD, AdvancedMD, Central Reach etc., are one of the best
software.

Advantages:
• Minimize Paperwork, Manual Work, and Errors.
• Make Patient Information More Accessible.
• Improve Claim Tracking
• Enhance Financial Reporting.
• Improve Patient Care with Payment Ease.
Disadvantages:

• Incorrect Patient Identifier Information.

• Missing Information.
• Underbilling and Up billing.
• Duplicate Billing.

6. Appointment booking Software

Ever since the introduction of the appointment scheduling or booking software, it has become
easy for both patients and the medical institution for managing the appointment, digitally. Most
recently, with the Covid situation, the diagnosis is being provided online that prevents the patient
to travel. Such technology could further advance with the advent of AI and automation.
Appointment Plus is one emerging appointment booking software with features such as
integrated payment processing, calendar integration and others which has been widely
appreciated by the medical industry.
Practo, Lybrate, Tata Health, Appointy, DocMein, etc. software’s are being used in India for
appointment booking or online consultation.

Advantages:
• Better schedule management and appointments gaps filling,
• Time saved for physicians, administrative, staff, and patients, • Administrative efficiency,
 • Better patient experience,
• Fewer no-shows,
• Improved billing,
• Cut labour costs due to automation.
Disadvantages:

• Sometimes, it might be difficult technologically for certain patients to understand the

complexities of booking and appointments.
• Sometimes, the patients also lack the necessary medical knowledge to comprehend the
appointment scheduling procedure. • The data breach can be a potential threat when any
software is involved since the clients’ information is personal and sensitive.
• With the automation process, the chances of employment also reduce since the work can be
swiftly carried via technology, and the hospitals wouldn’t want to spend more resources on
such staff.

7. Electronic Prescription Software

Electronic prescription (e-prescribing or e-Rx) is the computer-based electronic generation,
transmission, and filling of a medical prescription, taking the place of paper and faxed
prescriptions. E-prescribing allows a physician, physician assistant, pharmacist, or nurse
practitioner to use digital prescription software to electronically transmit a new prescription or
renewal authorization to a community or mail-order pharmacy. It outlines the ability to send
errorfree, accurate, and understandable prescriptions electronically from the healthcare provider to
the pharmacy. E-prescribing is meant to reduce the risks associated with traditional prescription
script writing.
RXNT, iCare Billing, CharmHealth, Kareo Clinical, Elation health et. Are the best e-prescribing
software’s being used.

Advantages:
• Prevents prescription drug errors.
• Speeds up the medication reconciliation process.
• Track patient fulfilment of prescriptions.
• Reduces the number of lost prescriptions.
• Enables better monitoring of controlled substance prescriptions.
Disadvantages:

• Accidental data entry errors.

• Patients can easily delete their prescriptions on their phone messages or emails, thereby
needing to reissue prescriptions
• Following the conclusion of the governments SMS token subsidy in June 2022, there will be
a cost to clinics associated with ePrescriptions
• Staff resistance
• Technology mistrust