A guide to open source healthcare software

Medical mistakes often cost precious lives. No matter how much the medical fraternity tries, mistakes are unavoidable. However, computerising or automating health records can avoid dangerous medical mistakes. At the same time, health care solutions such as EMR systems and clinical software can reduce costs and improve medical care. Modern hospital software uses electronic medical records, thereby helping patients and health care professionals make sound decisions. This article provides you with a guide to open-source healthcare software.

An introduction to open source health care software

OSS Open source software or OSS is in demand today. Thanks to its ease of development and a large pool of developers, OSS has made its mark in all sectors of business. Hospitals and clinics require an affordable comprehensive clinical information system to offer high-quality health care. Cost-effective health information-technology solutions are therefore indispensable. Open source health care software is available in the source of code form, and generally on a free, no-cost license basis. There are even free health care programs available for small clinics. The contribution of technology in healthcare has helped to improve the functionality of hospitals and clinics.

The need for healthcare software

EMR software Organising and managing the large database of patient records and other information is a challenging task. Technology solutions such as electronic medical record or EMR systems streamline complex processes such as maintaining patients’ records, financial management, insurance management, attendance management, customer management, and payroll. A hospital has a number of divisions or departments. Administration and management of different departments becomes easy using EMR software.

Features of healthcare software

FreeMed
Open source healthcare software solutions are of various types. While EMR software offers an in-depth record system of all the patients to the doctors, FreeMed, a practice management and electronic and computer records system software, helps doctors to track medical data in detail. Web-based EMR helps to access medical records on the go. Security, confidentiality and privacy are important aspects of open source health care technology solutions.

Popular open source health care solutions

Open Dental, FreeMed, GNUmed, GNU Health, OpenEMR, OpenMRS, ZEPRS, ClearHealth, DHIS, HRHIS and Caisis are some of the popular open source solutions for the medical and healthcare industry. While healthcare solutions aim at improving the overall health care management, leading healthcare development companies have also created mobile healthcare applications. You can use such applications using mobile phones and PDAs.