Question 1

What is a healthcare software company?

Accepted Answer

A healthcare software company is a specialized firm that develops, provides, and maintains software solutions tailored to the specific needs and challenges of the healthcare industry. These diverse and complex needs include patient care management, electronic health records (EHR), telemedicine, billing, scheduling, and regulatory compliance, among others.

By combining their domain expertise with the latest technologies, these are the ways that software development experts help healthcare providers:

Streamline and automate their administrative processes
Improve and personalize their patient experience
Achieve seamless interoperability among different healthcare systems and platforms
Ensure the security and privacy of patient data
Improve diagnosis and predictive diagnosis using smart medical devices and systems
Monitor and track medical equipment
Manage relationships with third-party organizations such as insurance companies and suppliers
And more

Medical software companies cater to hospitals, clinics, private practices, and insurance companies. Each of these clients presents unique challenges, such as the need for precise and efficient patient data management systems. They may also require the integration of new technologies like AI for predictive analytics. Furthermore, ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, and the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) is also one of the essential requirements.

One of the key products developed by healthcare software companies is electronic health records (EHRs). EHRs transform healthcare by providing quick access to patient records, thereby improving the ability to diagnose and reduce medical errors. A national survey highlighted that 94% of healthcare providers found EHRs to make records more accessible at the point of care, 88% reported clinical benefits for their practice, and 75% felt EHRs allowed them to deliver better patient care.

The projected revenue of US$193.70 billion in 2024, along with an estimated annual growth rate (CAGR 2024-2028) of 9.16% and a projected market volume of US$275.00 billion by 2028, clearly demonstrates the strong demand for healthcare software and digital health solutions.

Question 2

What does a healthcare software developer do?

Accepted Answer

A healthcare software developer creates and maintains software solutions specifically for the healthcare industry. Some of their responsibilities include:

Building software solutions that house digital medical records that can be accessed from a variety of secure places
Creating websites, apps, and wearables for medical practitioner or patient use
Maintaining digital systems that store important medical information, including study results, lab work, and patient medical records
Facilitating digital communication between healthcare organizations

Some of the sectors these developers power include:

Telehealth/telemedicine
Diagnostics
Nutrition
Health and wellness
Medical Devices
Medical Laboratory
Hospital Management System

Hola Meds - Pharmacy Delivery is an Australian pharmacy marketplace app developed by Suffescom Solutions. It serves as an excellent illustration of the diverse and impactful services offered by healthcare software development companies. The app demonstrates several key features and functionalities that cater to modern healthcare needs:

Medicine purchase and delivery
Discounts on healthcare products
Order reordering and tracking
Health-related content
Cost-free medicine returns

This example shows how healthcare software developers, besides creating digital solutions, significantly improve accessibility, convenience, and engagement in healthcare services. Apps like Hola Meds blend eCommerce, information dissemination, and logistics, tailored specifically for the healthcare sector.

Question 3

What are the official guidelines for medical software development?

Accepted Answer

Official guidelines for medical software development must align with an international standard published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), called IEC 62304. This standard ensures the performance of new medical software and mandates a process that each healthcare software development life cycle should follow.

According to IEC 62304, new medical software should follow these steps:

Software development planning
Software requirements analysis
Software architectural design
Software detailed design
Software unit implementation and verification
Software integration and integration testing
Software system testing
Software release

Each step includes detailed information that every healthcare software company must document and supply in order to be considered compliant with international standards.

Additionally, there are three levels of IEC 62304 compliance regarding software safety:

Class A: cannot cause injury or damage to health and requires software document numbers 1, 2, 5, and 8 above.
Class B: could cause non-serious injury and requires software solutions document numbers 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8 above.
Class C: could cause death or serious injury and requires all medical software documents listed above.

To comply with IEC 62304, a medical company should also outline items such as:

Risk management processes
Medical software maintenance plans
Record maintenance
And more

Question 4

What are the different types of healthcare technology?

Accepted Answer

Different types of healthcare technology include electronic health records (EHRs), hospital management software (HMS), medical practice management software (MPMS), ePrescribing software, and urgent care applications.

Electronic Health Record (EHR) Software

EHR software is a digital system that stores comprehensive patient health information such as patient demographic data, medical history, treatments, and laboratory results. It allows for this data to be shared across different healthcare providers.

EHRs offer several advantages over traditional paper-based records, such as reducing medical errors, requiring less storage space, and providing easier access for both physicians and patients.

This type of software aligns with the growing demand for integrated patient care, as it allows physicians to share critical patient information seamlessly, thereby improving the quality of treatment.

EHR is often confused with EMR (electronic medical records), but although similar, these two types of software significantly differ. EMRs are digital versions of patient records specific to one office or provider. On the other hand, EHRs are more comprehensive and designed to be accessed and shared across different healthcare facilities, providing a broader view of a patient’s health history.

Hospital Management Software (HMS)

HMS improves the efficiency of every section of a hospital, from the reception area to the laboratories and doctors’ offices. This software plays a crucial role in managing daily hospital administration, thereby allowing medical professionals to devote more time to patient care rather than paperwork.

Medical Practice Management Software (MPMS)

MPMS addresses the operational needs of healthcare organizations. It streamlines tracking patient diagnoses and prescriptions while managing payment and medical insurance information. It facilitates access to patient data, significantly improving patient care and satisfaction.

ePrescribing Software

ePrescribing software has revolutionized the prescription process, leaving the days of deciphering handwritten notes from doctors or pharmacists far behind. It ensures clarity in medication orders, eliminating prescription errors and issues with lost or forgotten prescriptions.

Urgent Care Applications

Urgent care applications provide instant health-related information, crucial in situations where patients cannot physically get to a healthcare facility. Features like chat or video allow doctors to assess the patient’s condition remotely, improving the quality of emergency care.

The best healthcare software depends on specific needs. Medical providers commonly use EHRs for patient data, HMS for hospital management, MPMS for practice operations, ePrescribing software for medication orders, and urgent care applications for emergency responses.

Question 5

What are the most common types of databases used in healthcare?

Accepted Answer

The most common types of databases used in healthcare include hierarchical, network, relational, document, NoSQL, object-oriented, graph, and ER model databases.

Here is breakdown of each database type:

Hierarchical databases: Known for their tree-like structure, these databases, such as Oracle Enterprise Database 11g, efficiently solve data management problems. They’re often used in complex data environments like enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and support object-oriented programming.
Network databases: These consist of components like a business server, electronic data interchange (EDI), and a web-based interface. They’re beneficial for real-time data access and retrieval, employing backup disks and transaction management protocols for enhanced data safety and integrity.
Relational databases: Commonly used in healthcare, these databases store data in tables with defined relationships. They’re ideal for managing structured data like patient records and hospital administration tasks.
Document databases: Suitable for storing a variety of documents, these databases are essential for large companies needing to manage extensive information. They offer easy search and retrieval capabilities for various document types.
NoSQL databases: Known for their flexibility and fault tolerance, NoSQL databases can operate without a traditional server, making them cost-effective for managing enterprise data, especially in cloud-based environments.
Object-oriented databases: Storing data as objects, these databases use relational or object-relational systems for consistency and conflict avoidance. They’re known for automatic data updating and flexibility in data types, making them suitable for a range of applications.
Graph databases: Featuring interconnected nodes and edges, these databases are excellent for managing large, complex data sets. They’re commonly used in scientific research and business applications due to their efficiency in handling relationships and large data volumes.
Entity-relationship (ER) model databases: Storing data in an object-oriented manner, ER model databases are used for complex business rules and customer data storage. They work well with object-oriented databases and web technologies.

Healthcare databases typically contain data essential for patient care and healthcare management, including:

Patient information: Basic demographics, contact information, family medical history, and insurance details.
Medical records: Detailed patient medical histories, diagnoses, treatments, medication records, lab results, and imaging reports.
Administrative data: Appointment schedules, billing information, and insurance claims.
Clinical data: Data from clinical trials, research studies, and patient outcomes.
Operational data: Information related to hospital or clinic operations, staff management, and resource allocation.

These databases facilitate efficient data management, support clinical decisions, improve patient care, and help in research and administrative tasks.

The choice of database depends on the specific needs of the healthcare organization, the type of data being managed, and the desired scalability and accessibility of the system.

Question 6

How much does healthcare software development cost?

Accepted Answer

Healthcare software development costs can vary between $50,000 and $500,000, depending on the project complexity, features, technology stack used in the development process, and the development team’s location.

These are the estimated costs for different healthcare software:

Telemedicine applications: $75,000 to $250,000
EHR/EMR systems: $100,000 to $500,000
Mental health apps: $60,000 to $150,000
Remote monitoring apps: $50,000 to $500,000+
Patient portals: $75,000 to $250,000
Hospital and clinics management apps: $100,000 to $300,000

The top 50 medical software development companies on DesignRush charge an average of $57/hour. Roughly 5.5% of the healthcare software development companies on DesignRush accept projects with a minimum budget of $1,000, while 7.7% require a $50,000+ minimum budget.

Question 7

Why hire a medical software development company?

Accepted Answer

You should hire a medical software development company to modernize your healthcare operations, increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve patient care.

The advantages of investing in a medical software development company are numerous. Some of them include:

Access to healthcare experts’ team: Hiring a healthcare software company gives you access to experienced professionals in software development, healthcare, and digital marketing, ensuring a comprehensive and industry-compliant software solution.
Custom healthcare solutions: Medical software companies create specialized tools like EMR systems and patient portals tailored to the specific needs of healthcare providers. These solutions improve patient care and engagement by providing personalized access to healthcare services. In fact, 78% of physicians reported that EHR use improved patient overall care.
Improved operational efficiency: Healthcare software automates routine tasks and enables data analysis, leading to increased efficiency in healthcare operations. Automation reduces manual effort and errors, while data analysis helps informed decision-making.
Increased patient involvement: Custom medical software offers user-friendly access to health records, appointment scheduling, and remote communication with healthcare providers. It also gathers patient feedback for service improvement.
Improved sensitive data security: Tailored security measures in custom healthcare software protect sensitive patient data with features like advanced encryption, authentication, and regular updates to guard against breaches. Cybersecurity and data protection are the most important considerations for 28% of healthcare organizations.
Scalability: Custom software is scalable, with a modular design and cloud-based options that allow for easy adaptation to changing healthcare demands and seamless integration with existing systems.
Cost-effectiveness: By automating administrative tasks, healthcare software reduces labor costs and operational expenses, contributing to overall cost savings for healthcare organizations.

Apriorit’s case study excellently highlights the benefits of healthcare software. The agency developed an AI-based system for a U.S. healthcare center specializing in infertility treatments, to efficiently track and measure ovarian follicles in ultrasound videos. This AI solution, using advanced algorithms, achieved 90% precision and 97% recall rate, drastically improving the diagnostic process by automating follicle detection and measurement.

The system’s success saved significant time for healthcare professionals and improved the quality of patient care. The initial accuracy of the system was set at 70%, but through continuous development and training, it reached higher levels of precision and recall. Currently undergoing testing and FDA approval processes, this technological advancement represents a significant improvement in the efficiency and accuracy of infertility diagnoses.

Question 8

How to choose a medical software company?

Accepted Answer

To choose a medical software company follow these steps:

Define your healthcare software goals: Determine the specific healthcare software solutions you require, such as electronic health records (EHR) systems, telemedicine platforms, or medical billing software.
Research healthcare-focused companies: Look for healthcare software development companies with a proven track record in the industry. Seek recommendations from healthcare professionals, check reviews, and explore industry-specific directories and platforms.
Evaluate healthcare expertise: Ensure the company has expertise in healthcare compliance, data security, and regulations, such as HIPAA. Healthcare software must adhere to strict standards.
Review healthcare portfolio: Request examples of previous healthcare software projects and case studies from medical software companies. Assess their ability to deliver quality solutions and their experience in addressing healthcare challenges.
Check their online presence: A reputable healthcare software development company should have a strong online presence, including industry recognitions and awards.
Ask for client references: Contact healthcare organizations that have worked with the software company to gain insights into its performance, adherence to healthcare standards, and reliability in delivering healthcare solutions.
Consider compliance and security: Given the sensitive nature of healthcare data, prioritize companies with a strong focus on compliance and data security.
Determine budget and value: While cost is a factor, focus on the value a company can provide in terms of improved patient care, efficiency, and compliance.
Discuss healthcare strategy: Inquire about the company’s approach to developing healthcare software, including how it ensures alignment with healthcare goals and regulations.
Ask about communication and collaboration processes: Ensure the software development company’s communication style and workflow align with your expectations.
Shortlist healthcare software development companies: Based on your research, narrow down your list to a few healthcare software development companies that meet healthcare-specific criteria.
Request proposals for your project: Send a detailed project brief to each shortlisted company and request a healthcare software development request for proposal (RFP).
Conduct interviews: Evaluate the proposals and schedule meetings with shortlisted healthcare software development companies to assess their capabilities and project approach.
Select the right partner: After thorough evaluation of proposals and interviews, choose the healthcare software development partner that aligns best with your project goals and budget.

Need help finding the ideal healthcare software development partner? Go to DesignRush’s Marketplace and tell us more about your project. We’ll connect you with the most suitable companies based on your requirements – for free.

Question 9

What questions to ask when hiring healthcare software companies?

Accepted Answer

When hiring healthcare software companies, you can ask some of these questions regarding:

Its Relevant Background

Can you tell me about the history of your company and its experience in healthcare software development?
How many years have you been operating in the healthcare sector?
Could you provide examples of previous healthcare software projects you have completed?
Who are some of your past or current clients in the healthcare industry?
What areas of healthcare software development do you specialize in (e.g., EMR, telemedicine, billing)?
Do you have any certifications or specialized training relevant to healthcare software development?

Company Services and Processes

What range of services do you offer (e.g., custom software development, support and maintenance, system integration)?
What project management methodologies do you use in your software development process (e.g., Agile, Waterfall)?
How do you incorporate feedback and changes during the development process?
Can you describe your quality assurance and testing processes?
How do you handle bug tracking and resolution?
What measures do you take to ensure data security and privacy in the software you develop?
How do you ensure compliance with healthcare regulations such as HIPAA, or others relevant to my region, such as General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)?
What kind of post-deployment support and maintenance do you offer?

The Project

How will you work with us to understand and meet our specific needs for this project?
What is the estimated timeline for the project, and how are milestones determined?
Can you provide a detailed cost estimate for the project? What are your payment terms and conditions?
What kind of analytics will the software provide?
How will communication be handled during the project?
What kind of progress reports can we expect, and how frequently?
How do you typically handle challenges or changes during a project?
What is your process for dealing with scope creep or unexpected requirements?
How do you ensure the scalability of the software for future needs?
How are software updates and upgrades handled post-deployment?

Question 10

What are the best healthcare software development companies in the US?

Accepted Answer

The best healthcare software development companies in the US are:

Agency	DesignRush rating	Google rating	Top clients
Glorium Technologies	4.9 (33 reviews)	5.0 (10 reviews)	PACS Harmony Bodyo ITR Software Liberkeys
Saigon Technology	4.9 (55 reviews)	3.3 (3 reviews)	DMI YPO One Harvest MTM
Kanda Software	4.7 (15 reviews)	4.8 (8 reviews)	Accenture Rue La La Lionbridge OneSky
Suffescom Solutions Inc	5.0 (36 reviews)	4.7 (90 reviews)	Modani Furniture King Cubs Lead Action Universal
Softermii	4.9 (20 reviews)	5.0 (2 reviews)	Dollar Shave Club Hollar JibJab Vidme

Look at their profiles to discover more about these agencies and explore the rest of our listings for additional healthcare software development companies. Easily refine your search by reviews, location, rates, team size, and other valuable parameters.

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