San Francisco-based Practice Fusion, the largest U.S. cloud-based electronic health record (EHR) platform for doctors and patients, on June 18th launched a native version of its EHR optimized for iOS and Android based tablets.
This expansion of technology will allow the 112,000 active health care professionals to securely access their EHR and medical records. Practice Fusion is already regarded as an innovator and trailblazer in the industry, since it is the only Meaningful Use certified EHR with complete continuity and functionality across three separate platforms: desktop, iOS and Android. Beyond that, the platform is free—without monthly fees and does not require any special training for adoption into practice.
“This launch further extends our position as the most dominant, fastest innovating EHR,” said Ryan Howard, Practice Fusion, CEO and Founder. “In addition to having the largest patient-provider community in the country, Practice Fusion is the only EHR available where providers have the ability to quickly and securely access their free EHR on a variety of platforms. This independence empowers providers to use whichever device or platform helps them provide the best possible patient care.”
As the fastest growing EHR in the U.S., Practice Fusion now has over 100 million patient records under active management. In 2014 alone, Practice Fusion’s EHR was utilized to record over 56 million patient visits--nearly 6% of all ambulatory visits in the U.S.
As the transition to mobile devices has been rapidly occurring over the past five years or so, Practice Fusion has responded with clear plans to help expand the user experience. And with nearly 43% of physicians currently using a mobile device in their medical practice, Practice Fusion allows providers to choose which platform best fits in to their workflow.
“As numerous studies show that the adoption of mobile devices by health care professionals increases every year,” explains Howard, “having a secure, mobile EHR is becoming increasingly crucial to providers.”
“With over 20,000 requests within the Practice Fusion community alone, the launch of native iOS and Android based applications demonstrates Practice Fusion’s commitment to empower providers with the latest tools to help them provide quality patient care.”
Howard explains that “the flexibility and connectivity options of our free platform has led to Practice Fusion being confirmed in a recent study by AmericanEHR as the de facto EHR for solo and 1-3 provider clinician offices.”
“With optimized navigation for landscape and portrait devices, the new iOS and Android based applications feature all the same capabilities already valued by Practice Fusion users such as e-prescribing to over 70k pharmacies and connecting with over 550 labs/imaging partners.”
Data from the recent AmericanEHR study in partnership with the American College of Physicians (ACP) demonstrated that Practice Fusion is the clear leader for solo and practices with 1-3 medical providers. The study found that for solo providers, Practice Fusion has 40% greater market share than eClinicalWorks, the next largest competitor in this category. And for small offices with 1-3 medical providers, Practice Fusion also garnered 25% more market share than eClinicalWorks, the next largest competitor in this category. The survey concluded that Practice Fusion is the dominant player in the market of 1-3 member clinician practices. And based on data from the American Medical Association (AMA), almost 60 percent of physicians are members of practices made up of 10 physicians or less, with over 53% of physicians self-employed.
According to Healthit.gov, a federal website that provides comprehensive up-to date information regarding EHRs, the average upfront cost of implementation of an EHR is $33,000 per provider, along with an annual maintenance fee of $4,000. For many smaller practices, this may not be feasible—thus making the case for implementing Practice Fusion, a completely free, Meaningful Use certified EHR.
“With this launch” said Howard, “Practice Fusion becomes the only EHR available that has complete continuity and functionality between a variety of platforms enabling providers to securely access their patients’ medical records.” “Whether a provider is on their computer or tablet, they will have a completely streamlined and consistent user experience.”
Howard also explained that “For providers who are just adopting an EHR or are looking to use a mobile solution, the ability to not have to learn a new layout or system based on device is invaluable for saving provider time, which is increasingly becoming in short supply.”
As healthcare providers have increasingly grown frustrated with using EHRS in their daily practice, functionality and mobile access are key drivers of what seems to stick. While medical scribes have certainly helped to free providers from data entry during daily clinical activities, being able to access records with ease and confidence--and at low or no cost-- are important factors which retain providers going forward.
Howard sums it up this way: “By leveraging the agility of our platform, Practice Fusion is able to adopt solutions in response to industry trends and provider needs. With functionality now across three platforms, providers have the option to choose which solution best suits their workflow preferences and needs, allowing them to focus on what’s most important --treating patients and saving lives.”
