Healthcare Software Modernization Services: 5 Trends for 2024

Healthcare technology is rapidly evolving. Healthcare businesses must invest in software modernization services to keep up with the changing technology. Software modernization has become a necessity. This is because of two reasons. 

First, patient demands are ever-increasing. Second, healthcare institutions must keep up with rapid technological advancements to optimize care delivery and operations. 

Just like how smartphone manufacturers release updates and new models, healthcare software modernization focuses on implementing advanced functionalities. These may include telehealth capabilities, data security, improved user experiences, and more. 

Let’s uncover some leading factors behind digital transformation in healthcare. 

1. Improving Healthcare Delivery: Healthcare software development today focuses on improving patient experiences. As a result, telemedicine has emerged. It allows patients to access their medical records, schedule appointments, and cate with their healthcare providers directly through a portal. 
2. Ensuring safety and compliance: Legacy systems are vulnerable to cyberattacks. This puts the safety of sensitive patient data at risk. Software modernization makes sure robust security measures are in place. Moreover, compliance with healthcare regulations like HIPAA is ensured. 
3. Integration with Advanced Technologies: Legacy software can’t easily integrate with the latest systems and technologies. Modern software can easily integrate with different technologies. Such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), telehealth, etc. Thus, patients get data-based care delivery. 
4. Boosting Operational Efficiency: Healthcare software modernization services automate workflows and repetitive tasks. This reduces administrative burden. This allows healthcare providers to spend more time on patient interactions. Institutions can easily provide personalized patient care. 

Let’s dive into top trends that are currently shaping healthcare software development. 

Top Software Modernization Services Trends in Healthcare 

#1 Cloud-Native Development and Hybrid Solutions

Legacy systems often reside on-premise. They require physical infrastructure and ongoing maintenance. With cloud-native app development, healthcare institutions can build scalable and agile systems. They can also reduce their costs. 

Cloud-native development uses cloud computing platforms. These include Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). 

This allows businesses to boost software deployment. They can also offer speedy updates and access to on-demand services through the cloud. 

Hybrid solutions, on the other hand, combine on-premise infrastructure and cloud. This allows healthcare businesses to gradually move to a cloud infrastructure. 

Features:

• Scalability: Cloud-based systems can be easily scaled as per requirements. Healthcare businesses don’t need to invest in expensive hardware upgrades. 
• Agility: Cloud platforms enable faster development cycles. New features and functionalities can also be easily deployed. 
• Cost-effectiveness: Cloud services are cost-effective. Businesses only need to pay for the resources and services they use. This leads to lower maintenance costs. 
• Security: Cloud providers invest heavily in security. They empower healthcare businesses to defend themselves against threats and attacks on security. 

#2 Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) 

Digital transformation in Healthcare is majorly driven by AI and ML. AI/ML can analyze huge amounts of medical data. Such as Electronic Health Records (EHR), medical imaging, patient data, and more. 

Further, AI/ML systems obtain data-based insights from patient data. Using those insights, they can identify trends and predict patient outcomes. They also assist in automating repetitive tasks like appointment scheduling, etc. 

AI/ML can also be used to build customer service chatbots. These bots can handle patient queries and provide basic health information to them. 

Features:

• Better Treatment and Diagnosis: Using AI/ML in healthcare software development improves diagnosis and treatment. Healthcare providers can detect diseases with higher accuracy. AI also assists in creating personalized plans for patient treatment.
• Higher Patient Satisfaction: AI-based chatbots handle patient queries and schedule appointments too. They also offer basic health information to patients. This improves the overall patient experience. It also helps in reducing the burden on the hospital staff. 
• Optimized Workflows: AI can automate repetitive back-office tasks. Healthcare providers can focus more on patient care. 
• Data-Driven Insights: AI/ML systems obtain valuable insights from patient data. These include insights into healthcare trends and patterns. Healthcare providers can thus improve decision-making and care delivery.

#3 Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) automates tasks like data entry, appointment booking, medication reconciliation, etc. This helps in reducing the chances of human error. It also improves overall accuracy and efficiency. 

RPA can offer major advantages in streamlining administrative tasks. 

Features:

• Higher Efficiency: RPA automates repetitive tasks. This allows the healthcare staff to spend more time on complex patient interactions and tasks. Thus, the overall business efficiency is increased. 
• Lesser Errors: RPA drastically reduces the chances of human errors during data entry and processing. It improves the accuracy and integrity of data. 
• Improved Compliance: By automating workflows, RPA helps healthcare institutions adhere to important regulations and protocols. 
• Cost-Efficient: RPA optimizes operational efficiency. This saves costs for healthcare institutions in the long run. 

#4 Interoperability and Data Exchange 

Healthcare systems collect a lot of patient data on a daily basis. This information is stored in different systems; it is scattered. Moreover, these systems have limited communication and exchange capabilities. 

This affects the comprehensive view of a patient's medical history. It also becomes difficult for healthcare providers to properly provide patient care. 

Healthcare software modernization enables data exchange between different systems securely. It uses standardized protocols like FHIR, for instance. Healthcare providers get a complete view of their patients. They can improve care delivery.

Patients don’t need to repeat tests or provide the same information to different providers. All their information can be stored in a centralized database. 

Features:

• Enhanced Patient Care Delivery: Access to a complete view of a patient's medical history facilitates better- treatment decisions and care delivery.
• Improved Patient Engagement: Patients get access to their complete medical records across different providers. Thus, they can remain informed about their health. 
• Reduced Costs: Patients don’t need to carry out duplicated tests and procedures. Healthcare providers can access relevant patient data including history. 
• Organized Workflows: As data exchange is seamless and secure, it promotes seamless communication between patients and healthcare providers. 

Tips to Streamline Healthcare Software Modernization Services 

Streamlining healthcare software can be a complex process. But, by adopting a comprehensive approach, you can maximize results. Here are some key things to consider: 

• User-Centric Design 
  • Prioritize user experience for patients and healthcare providers. 
  • Develop intuitive interfaces. 
  • Include features like mobile access and personalized dashboards. 
• Data Privacy and Security
  • Implement measures to protect sensitive patient data stored in EHRs. 
  • Make sure your software complies with HIPAA and GDPR guidelines. 
  • Regularly update security protocols. 
  • Conduct periodic and thorough risk assessments. 
• Agile Development
  • Adopt agile methodologies for rapid prototyping and feedback. 
  • Involve stakeholders in regular feedback cycles to meet evolving needs. 
• Foster Interoperability
  • Integrate healthcare software systems with existing infrastructure and third-party applications. 
  • Enable smooth data exchange between different platforms for seamless communication and collaboration across organizations. 
• Apply effective change management strategies
  • Prepare your healthcare staff for a transition. 
  • Offer them comprehensive training programs, workshops, and continuous support so that they can easily adapt to the new software. 
  • Encourage open communication and address concerns proactively. 

Hire an Experienced Healthcare Software Development Company

To fully leverage the benefits of software modernization services for your healthcare businesses, hire an experienced software development company. 

Consider criteria like client reviews, industry experience, budget, developer expertise, project management, development approach, communication skills, etc. This way, you can match with the best software development company. 

As a leading custom software development company, TRooTech fits all these criteria. Their expert developers have years of experience and expertise in providing software modernization services. 

For successfully building your Healthcare software, collaborating with the best custom software development company is necessary. You get to benefit from high-quality deliverables, adherence to deadlines, efficient problem-solving, and effective communication.