The iconic author and philosopher Eckhart Tolle said, “The power for creating a better future is contained in the present moment: You create a good future by creating a good present.” Staying present is critical in the addiction recovery and behavioral health field. It is paramount to stay connected with clients in the present moment as much as possible. However, when it comes to staying present, sometimes foresight falls behind. This is especially true with EMR and EHR software, where it can be very easy to fall out of date. So then, when do you know when it's time to upgrade your software? Actually, there are many signs.

Recognizing Inefficient Software

EMR software is now a critical component in the healthcare field, and it continues to grow. According to the Indian Journal of Ophthalmology, “EMR is considered potentially one of the drivers for the transformation of healthcare. From a client care perspective, EMR is expected to improve the accuracy of the information, support clinical decision-making and improve the accessibility of information for continuity of care," and "From an operational perspective, EMR should generate essential healthcare statistics crucial to the planning and management of healthcare services.”

The issue is that EMR software can become inefficient if it is not monitored closely. Also, some EMR software was flawed from the start. In both instances, it is vital to get the right software installed to cover both provider and client needs. This is also true for EHR software (which, with the right company, should be integrated).

Struggling With Software “Growing Pains”

According to the Journal of Medical Internet Research, "EHRs improve the quality, accuracy, and timeliness of client information at the point of care. EHRs provide insights into health care costs, utilization, and outcomes," and “EHRs promote quality of care, reduce costs, support client mobility, increase reliability of information, and provide access to client information to multiple health care providers.” Of course, these benefits are null and void if the right software is not being utilized or it has become obsolete.

Software “growing pains” refers to the struggles that providers (and clients) feel when their software stops keeping up with their needs. This is often felt because the provider wants their software to do more, be more compatible, and be more user-friendly, but it just cannot fulfill those needs. These growing pains most likely signal that it is time to upgrade your software. It is also a sign when employees continue to struggle with the current software.

Employee Struggles With Software

The fact of the matter is that software struggles are the reality for many substance abuse and mental health care clinics and facilities. Also, many of these clinics feel like this is the norm and that they just need to continue to keep adjusting. This is backward because it represents the software being in control of the provider rather than the other way around. Also, this is no way to manage a client's critical information.

Employees are at the frontline when it comes to EMR and EHR software. This is why they are going to be the first to know when software is no longer fulfilling the needs of the client and ultimately hurting the practice. They will also be some of the first people to state, “It's time to upgrade your software.”

Knowing When It Is Time to Upgrade Your Software

Bill Gates said, “Software is a great combination between artistry and engineering.” It is time to upgrade your software when these two components are not working in unison and doing their job. The way to determine this is when glitches keep happening, complaints about under-friendliness keep happening, and overall morale regarding EMR and EHR software is in decline.

Ultimately, it's time to upgrade your software when the software begins to take time away from being spent with clients. Providers should never have to pivot and focus on software. When this happens, the client suffers. This is why reaching out to professionals like Alleva to upgrade your software can be a vital step in the right direction.

Upgrade Your Software With Alleva

Here at Alleva, we like to say, “Spend less time stressing out over tedious record management and more time where your heart is – serving those in your care.” Our software will not only give you peace of mind, but it will also ensure that your clients have the best care when it comes to their EMRs and EHRs.

Eckhart Tolle also famously said, “Don't wait to be successful at some future point. Have a successful relationship with the present moment and be fully present in whatever you are doing. That is success.” It is important not to wait and just keep struggling with the right software. No, it is time to ensure a successful future by having the right software now. Alleva can help.