Demand for urgent care providers has never been higher. In fact, by the end of this year, the industry is expected to hit a total of $46.7 billion in revenue1 – a 21% increase from 2019.

So, what’s driving the increase in demand for urgent care? 

At least two, interconnected variables: First, an overall increase in patient volume to urgent care centers that began during the pandemic and continues today, and second, shifting preferences around when, where, and how patients seek out care. Unlike many primary care practices, urgent care providers accept walk-ins and offer flexible and extended hours that may make it easier to access care when it's needed the most.

While there’s a clear upside to being able to deliver urgent care services to an increasing number of patient populations, urgent care providers must adapt to this changing landscape. Undoubtedly, high volumes of patients, expanded services and other factors are opportunities for urgent care provider growth, but without the right technology to support those services and drive efficiency, it may be difficult for some organizations to see valuable return on investment.

One crucial tool in unlocking continued upside? Implementing the right Electronic Health Record (EHR) software. 

With the right EHR technology, many urgent care providers can streamline care operations today while paving the way for scalable and efficient growth later. In this blog post, we’ll explore the five benefits of using the right EHR solution within an urgent care setting and what features to look for when considering this kind of healthcare technology. 

What are the benefits of using an EHR in an urgent care provider setting and what features should it have? 

Benefit: Improved efficiency and consistency in documentation 
Feature: Customizable templates 

Many urgent care providers see a high volume of patients and for common ailments, like upper respiratory infections or colds, minor lacerations and sprains, rapid diagnostics, and even acute medical episodes related to ongoing chronic conditions. By selecting an EHR that provides robust customizable templates, urgent care providers can quickly document patient information, diagnoses, and treatment plans. This not only saves time, but also ensures consistent documentation and interoperability across patient encounters. Customizable templates can be designed to fit the specific needs of urgent care practices, making charting more efficient and accurate. 

Benefit: Streamlined revenue cycle management (RCM) and reduced errors  
Feature: Automated billing 

Within a busy urgent care organization, billing can be a time-consuming and error-prone process. An EHR system with integrated, automated billing features can significantly reduce manual work and minimize errors related to everything from inputting the right patient details to using the right billing codes. By automatically populating patient information, services rendered, and insurance details into the billing system, urgent care practices can streamline their revenue cycle management. Automated billing can help reduce denied claims, speed up reimbursement, and ultimately improve the financial health of the urgent care practice. 

Benefit: Enhanced patient safety and improved prescription process
Feature: Integrated e-prescribing 

E-prescribing is a valuable feature of a well-designed EHR system, and critical for urgent care organizations. Integrated e-prescribing allows providers to send prescriptions directly to the patient's preferred pharmacy, saving time and reducing the risk of errors associated with handwritten prescriptions. Additionally, e-prescribing systems can alert providers to potential drug interactions based on the patient’s medical history, allergies, or contraindications, which enhances patient safety. By streamlining the prescription process, urgent care practices can improve the patient experience and ensure timely access to medications. 

Benefit: Faster time to efficiency and return on investment 
Feature: Workflows that work with your practice right out of the box 

An EHR with workflows specifically designed for the urgent care specialty can significantly improve efficiency. Urgent care practices face unique challenges, such as rapid patient turnover and a wide range of presenting complaints. A tailored EHR can help providers navigate these challenges more effectively by offering built-in protocols for common urgent care conditions and streamlining the patient journey from check-in to discharge. By choosing an EHR with urgent care-specific workflows, practices can optimize their operations and provide more efficient care. 

Benefit: Identifying areas for improvement and making data-driven decisions  
Feature: Real-time data and reporting 

A robust EHR system can provide urgent care practices with real-time data and reporting capabilities. This allows practice staff to monitor key performance indicators, such as patient volume, wait times, and revenue, in real-time. By leveraging this data, urgent care centers can identify areas for improvement, make data-driven decisions, and optimize their operations. Real-time reporting also enables practices to track quality measures and demonstrate value to patients and payers. 

The right EHR solution can streamline your urgent care operations 

By offering customizable templates, automated billing, integrated e-prescribing, tailored workflows, and real-time data and reporting, a well-suited EHR can help urgent care practices improve efficiency, reduce errors, and enhance patient care. As the demand for urgent care services continues to grow, it is essential for urgent care owners to evaluate their current EHR and consider options that are specifically designed to meet their unique needs. By implementing the right technology, urgent care practices can thrive in today's competitive healthcare landscape while delivering the efficient, high-quality care that patients expect and deserve.

Learn more about how athenaOne can help you grow your Urgent Care practice.

¹IBIS World, “Urgent Care Centers in the US—Market Size, Industry Analysis, Trends, And Forecasts”, March 2024; https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/urgent-care-centers-industry/#:~:text=Urgent%20care%20centers%20also%20leverage,jump%20by%20an%20estimated%200.5%25