Geriatric EMR Software

Geriatric electronic medical record (EMR) software is designed for providers who specialize in elderly care. It includes tools for managing chronic conditions, polypharmacy, fall risk, cognitive decline, and coordination with long-term post-acute care (LTPAC) facilities. These platforms help streamline documentation, manage complex treatment plans, and facilitate better communication with healthcare practices.  

Designed to improve clinical and administrative efficiency, geriatric EMRs play a crucial role in improving care quality and operational workflow in practices serving aging populations. 

In the following section, we will delve deeper into its key features, benefits, and costs to help you make an informed decision.  

Geriatric electronic health record (EHR) software offers various useful features that help practices provide better patient care and streamline administrative tasks. The following are some of the notable ones:  

Comprehensive Polypharmacy Management 

Managing multiple medications on a daily basis is complicated; however, it is an essential part of geriatric care. Advanced geriatric EMRs include tools for tracking drug interactions, adjusting dosages based on renal function, and alerting providers to high-risk medications for seniors.  

Geriatric Assessment And Monitoring Tools 

Geriatric software offers built-in cognitive assessment templates such as the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) to monitor dementia progression or cognitive decline over time. These tools can be used for early detection as they support ongoing care planning.  

Customizable Treatment Templates 

Geriatric care requires a system that includes customizable treatment templates to ensure quality care for the elderlies. This feature enables the geriatrician to document treatment plans, medication schedules, and assessments more efficiently.  

Fall Risk Evaluation Modules  

Elderly patients are at a higher risk of falling. Therefore, it is essential to make fall risk assessment a crucial part of routine visits. In this regard, geriatric EMRs offer fall history tracking, mobility scoring, and alerts for follow-up care after a fall incident.  

Medical Coding 

For billing and compliance purposes, medical coding plays a vital role. Geriatric EMRs include universal codes like ICD-10 and Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) to enable claim submission and streamline the reimbursement process. 

Here are some of the key benefits of using geriatric EMR software:  

• Reduction In Medication And Scheduling Errors: Features like e-prescription and scheduling tools ensure lower administrative error rates, while also saving time and reducing no-shows or missed medication reviews 
• Enhanced Coordination With Care Facilities: Geriatric care management software allows practitioners to collaborate seamlessly with other specialists, including LTPAC and nurses  
• Better Regulatory Compliance And Quality Reporting: Geriatric EMRs include MIPS dashboards and LTPAC-specific reporting, along with built-in audit trails to help geriatricians meet regulatory requirements 
• Improved Patient Safety Through Polypharmacy Alerts: Geriatric EHRs help reduce prescription errors with built-in tools to enhance safety in elderly patients 

The cost of geriatric EHR depends on various factors such as practice size, number of users, features, implementation process, customization options, and preferences. For small cloud-based practices, the cost starts from as low as $18/provider/month.  

However, for larger enterprises, the cost for geriatric EMRs starts at $449/provider/month, depending on the features and add-ons.  

While selecting a geriatric EMR, keep the following factors under consideration:  

• Specialty-Specific Features: Look for an EMR that offers specialty-specific features such as polypharmacy management, cognitive assessment tools, and care planning modules 
• Ease Of Use: Choose a platform that offers an intuitive interface tailored for geriatric practice staff who may have limited technological proficiency 
• Reliable Customer Support: Find a vendor that provides responsive customer support and timely assistance for critical settings like nursing homes and hospice care 
• Interoperability: Ensure the EMR can seamlessly integrate with nursing homes, health agencies, rehab centers, and pharmacies to enable secure data exchange 
• Scalability: Select a solution that grows with your practice by adding features such as wearable device integration, telehealth, and an AI-powered tool