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Modern lifestyle has made us prone to diseases & a frequent visitor to hospitals. With the increasing number of patients at hospitals, the burden of managing medical facilities and task handling is also increasing for healthcare professionals or doctors. But, tools like best hospital management software systems help them to manage all their hospital operations in real-time from a single dashboard.
Now, the question that is very common here is how to find and select the best hospital management software in India to optimize hospital operations efficiently. Before you start, you have to identify specific needs and requirements of your hospital.
For example, your specific needs could be
- An easy-to-use online or mobile appointment scheduling facility.
- Faster and paperless patient registration process.
- Secure platform to store and view patient health information, medication history.
- Telehealth consultation facility.
- And the list goes on…
After having a fair idea about what you want in software, the second crucial point is deciding the best hospital management software for your hospital.
You can always opt for open source softwares if you want to give it a try. They are cheaper to use and some are even user friendly. The only cost that you have to bear is that of the hardware.
However, even though these open softwares may do the trick for you in the short term we always recommend to go for paid ones. Sounds like another marketing gimmick? Let’s dive deeper into the reason why having a paid HMS is always the best choice over a free/open source HMS software solution.
Why always Opt for Paid Hospital Management Softwares (HMS)
Before we dig deep into the reasons to opt for paid hospital management software, here are some key stats you should know.
- A 2020 report by Black Book Research estimated that open-source solutions accounted for only about 2% of the market, but that this number was expected to grow in the coming years.
- As per a 2020 report by CPSQ, 82% of the open source components found were out of date (i.e., unpatched or not well supported).In general there are 2 types of upgrades in Softwares.
- Product Based : New Features, New ways of Managing WorkFlow, New Integrations
- Service Based : Scalable, Fast, Secure, Robust, Training/Support
The open source softwares supports the first Type which is the Product Based upgrades. They do get richer in terms of feature and are probably the fastest to adapt to the changing market trends. Integrations with other machines is something where these softwares lag again. The software has to be up to date with the latest HL7 and DICOM Standards.
The second leg of the upgrades which includes Scalability, Security and Robustness is often the lacking ground for any Open Source Implementation. This is fairly easy to understand because they are serviceable in nature. We have yet not been able to technologically advance our systems to an extent that they can take care of these vulnerabilities on their own. Which software services will be used more and which system requires more resources have to be manually adjusted. Every now and then hackers find out a new way of exploiting vulnerabilities and for this some human intervention is required to continuously keep a track of the changes and keep on updating the software from time to time.
On top of that, paid hospital management software comes with benefits such as zero down time, dedicated customer support and compliance with healthcare regulations. The features of paid software includes:
- Comprehensive patient management
- Data analytics and reporting
- Security and compliance
- Telemedicine consultation facility
- Robust EMR/EHR system
- Multiple Integrations facility (for RIS and LIS)
- Customization
While free HMS solutions offer limited features and basic security with community support, in the long run it’s always the paid softwares that covers your needs. Hospitals are places where small errors can pose a risk to your patient’s life, therefore, it is advised to research properly and go for paid solutions. At the end of the day, you do not want to stop your services or get stuck in between processes because of some technical issue. To get a seamless experience and give the best healthcare facilities to your customers, always go for a paid hospital software. Here’s a detailed comparison between the two.
Paid Vs Free HMS Solutions
Difference |
Free |
Paid |
Suitable for |
Temporary basis(2-3 weeks) to understand workflows. |
All industries serving in the long run (>2 weeks) |
Cost |
Free |
Licencing fee, ongoing subscriptions |
Features |
Limited Basic Features |
Wide Range of Features and advanced functionalities |
Security |
Insecure |
Robust |
Compliance |
User responsibility |
Vendor responsibility |
Implementation & Support |
Self-reliance, community support |
Dedicated support, training and maintenance provided |
Scalability & Reliability |
Limited scalability, may require technical expertise |
Highly scalable, reliable, suitable for complex needs |
Up to this point, you have noted down your specific hospital needs/requirements and determined whether to opt for a free or paid Hospital Management Software solution. So, at First, let’s explore the top 5 paid hospital management software in India.
1. Aarogya Hospital Management Software
With exceptional customization facility, superior security, ease of use and all essential top-notch features, Aarogya HMS is the first choice among doctors and healthcare professionals looking for a robust and best hospital management software in India. The solution is best suited for any kind of hospital, from small clinics to large multi-specialty hospitals, laboratories, radiologies and polyclinics.
Aarogya is a cloud-based Hospital management software that provides modules for OPD, IPD, EMR, lab, pharmacy, radiology, blood bank, OT, TPA and more. The software provides a unified platform for patients, doctors, nurses and admins. It enables online appointment booking, telemedicine, e-prescription, e-billing, e-claim and more. Its advanced reporting tools (MIS Reporting) facilitates valuable insights into hospital performance, enabling data-driven decision making.
Aarogya offers SaaS, Cloud-based and Offline Versions to cater to each and every type of healthcare institution. The best part about Aarogya is that it is one of the few softwares that provides a solution for all the departments of your hospital integrated under a single hood. The software is HL7 and NABH compliant and has integrations with more than 200+ different Lab/Radiology/Diagnostic machines from 30+ manufacturers.
As per 2024, Aarogya successfully generates 1,00,000+ EMRs every single day with 0 down time across 1000+ healthcare institutions all over the world.
Also Read: Top 12 Features to Look for in a Hospital Management System
2. Saral Pro HIMS
Saral Pro HIMS manages various hospital operations offering a range of modules within the system. Some of these modules are Patient UHID, OPD billing, IPD billing, OT management, store inventory, patient EMR, and nursing desk functionality. The software solution can be deployed on local servers or cloud-based servers. Hence, it provides flexibility in terms of accessibility and data management.
This complete hospital management system software comes with dedicated support and short-term training to the hospital staff. Clients may ask for customization in the software as per their needs.
Saral Pro HIMS ensures increase in operational efficiency, patient care and patient satisfaction by automating the processes like patient management flow, bed management and management of all stationery templates.
It also supports digital prescription transfers and report management, ensuring seamless communication between pharmacies and diagnostic centers.
3. Hospilogix Hospital Management Software
HospiLogix is a web based hospital management software that has been designed by Nextgen eSolutions. It helps hospitals of different types and sizes to manage their operations efficiently and effectively. The software is built on open source technologies and provides a user-friendly interface.
HospiLogix hospital software offers a range of modules that covers different aspects of hospital management such as patient registration, pharmacy, discharge, billing, and more. The modules are divided into 3 different parts which are general modules, additional modules and special modules. The user can decide which and how many modules they need for their hospital.
The system is compliant with HL7 and DICOM standards as well as NABH and NABL accreditation. It provides MIS reporting which helps in better decision making. The software is considered among the top 5 hospital management software in India as it is a reliable, scalable and customizable software system.
4. Medstarhis Hospital Software
Medstar HIS is among the best hospital management software in India. It is a comprehensive hospital management software (HMS) that integrates various hospital systems, processes, and machines into an intelligent information system. The system is designed to improve the patient care and workflow of hospitals and healthcare professionals.
The system supports decision making through real-time reporting, management information system (MIS) and analytics. This hospital software aims to create a paperless hospital environment and manages daily activities such as patient admissions, discharges, doctor listings, pharmacy management, report generation, HR, and payroll.
Apart from the efficiency in hospital operations, Medstar HIS offers data security at every level, along with reliable storage and backup facilities.
Medstar HIS has mobile compatibility, and compliance with NABH standards. It provides dedicated support and can be deployed on the cloud, allowing users to access data without geographical limitations.
5. Hms365Cloud
Hms365Cloud is a web based hospital and clinic management software designed for very small and small healthcare institutions, individual doctors, and physicians. The system is considered among the best hospital management softwares in India as it aims to improve the quality and management of hospital health care and clinical care.
The system offers various features that are sensitive to the needs of hospitals, such as patient records, doctor records, pharmacy information system, in-patient service, out-patient service, operation theater, e-prescription, and more.
Hms365cloud hospital management software is compliant with HL7 and DICOM standards, as well as NABH and NABL accreditation. The software also provides comprehensive and dynamic MIS reporting with statistical analysis, accessible remotely for better decision making by management.
The software is a configurable, customizable, and modular solution that can be integrated with any HL7/R232 compliant medical equipment and third party applications. It is a reliable, scalable, and affordable solution for hospital management.
Above were a few HMIS systems recommended by industry standards. Now, let’s explore the top 5 free/open source hospital management software in India.
Top 5 Free/Open Source hospital management software
Chikitsa is the best open-source hospital management software. It is a PHP-based, self-hosted HMS solution designed for clinics and small hospitals to manage clinical workflows efficiently. The solution supports extensions and integrates with various other open-source CMS solutions like WordPress and SMS.
With this software solution, healthcare professionals can facilitate the appointment scheduling facility to their patients along with their follow-ups and notification alerts via SMS. It also includes patient records management, allowing doctors to access visit histories, diagnosis, and medications while safeguarding patient privacy through user access controls.
Chikitsa’s inventory management module aids professionals in stock monitoring, and the billing management feature allows for the customization of bill and prescription templates. The reporting function provides data on appointments, bills, and treatments, which can be exported to Excel. Additionally, Chikitsa supports multiple user groups and permissions, ensuring that staff have appropriate access to functionalities.
Overall, Chikitsa Hospital Management Software offers a modular and scalable solution for healthcare facilities seeking a cost-effective way to manage their operations and patient care.
OpenEMR is a leading open-source electronic health records (EHR) and medical practice management solution. The solution is known for its flexibility, offering a feature-rich platform that supports over 30 languages and numerous customizations.
The software includes advanced scheduling, e-prescribing, medical billing, CMS reporting, and lab integration. Its clinical decision rules engine aids in providing high-quality patient care. OpenEMR also emphasizes security with fine-grained access control and industry-standard password hashing.
OpenEMR’s vibrant community of volunteers and contributors maintain its critical features and provide free support. The software is suitable for outpatient and inpatient users, offering hybrid support, advanced billing, FHIR integration, cloud offerings, and quality reporting. It also connects low-cost medical devices, meeting the diverse needs of healthcare providers worldwide.
OpenMRS is an open-source Electronic Medical Record System (EMR) that offers a flexible and adaptable platform for healthcare facilities. It is designed to be customizable to meet the specific needs of various healthcare environments, particularly in resource-constrained settings.
The system is built on a modular architecture, allowing for easy expansion and integration with third-party libraries. It supports multiple languages and provides a robust API for further development. It includes features such as patient repository, embedded patient workflows, and role-based permissions, ensuring comprehensive management of patient records.
OpenMRS is not only a software solution but also a community-driven project that continuously develops new features and modules. It is written in Java and comes with extensive documentation to assist with development and deployment. The platform is ideal for users who require a customizable and scalable EMR system that can grow with their healthcare facility’s needs.
Bahmni is an open-source hospital management software that integrates OpenMRS, OpenELIS, and OPENERP to manage patient records across various healthcare domains. It is designed for low-resource settings and is accessible to staff with varying literacy levels. The Bahmni Coalition periodically updates the software, ensuring it remains relevant and efficient. The system supports data export in multiple formats, including CSV, PDF, HTML, and XLS, catering to different reporting and record-keeping needs.
Bahmni emphasizes a community-supported structure, relying on user feedback to guide development and ensure continuity. This approach has led to successful implementations in hospitals across countries like India, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Nepal, Sierra Leone, Pakistan, Ethiopia, and the Philippines. The software’s features include patient registration, records management, in-patient management, lab management with sample tracking, stock management, billing, accounting, and a reporting system compatible with Microsoft Office applications.
OneTouch EMR is a cloud-based, free hospital management system that emphasizes ease of use and flexibility. It allows healthcare providers to enter data through touch, typing, or dictation, catering to different user preferences. The system integrates laboratory functionalities to streamline workflows and improve patient care.
The software supports online medical charting, data import from external systems, and drawing and annotation features, providing greater flexibility in recording patient observations. OneTouch EMR is designed to be intuitive making it an ideal choice for small clinics and solo practitioners who need a straightforward and efficient EMR solution.
OneTouch EMR stands out for its user-friendly interface and the ability to adapt to various medical practice needs without requiring hardware or server installations. This makes it a cost-effective and accessible option for healthcare facilities looking to digitize their patient management processes.
Why Aarogya HMS
Here are some key points that make Aarogya a leader in the industry.
- Superior Security
- Dedicated Support Team
- Flexible
- Endorsed by Authorities
- Comprehensive Functionality
- Incredibly User Friendly
Unmatched Integration Facility
With its unmatched integration capabilities, Aarogya allows the system to connect with various external systems and devices.
ABDM
Aarogya supports ABDM, which is a national digital health mission that aims to provide universal health coverage and digital health records to the citizens of India.
As of December 2023, over 52 out of 919 health tech innovators participating in the ABDM Sandbox have achieved full integration across three levels, and Aarogya is among the first ones
Tally
Aarogya integrates with Tally, which is a popular accounting software that helps to manage the financial transactions and reports of the hospital.
Biometric
Aarogya software supports biometric authentication, which is a secure and convenient way of verifying the identity of the staff and patients.
KIOSKS
Aarogya HMIS supports KIOSKS, which are self-service terminals that allow the patients to check-in, register, pay, and print receipts without any human intervention.
WhatsApp and SMS
Aarogya HMS supports WhatsApp and SMS, which are effective communication channels that enable the hospital to send reminders, alerts, reports, and feedback to the patients and staff.
According to results of a survey from Accenture, 73% of patients prefer receiving appointment reminders via text message.
Also Read: 5 Ways Hospital Billing Software Can Save You Money
Wrapping Up- Best Hospital Management Software
In conclusion, Hospital management software is a crucial solution for enhancing the performance and quality of healthcare services. It can help you to automate business operations, manage data, streamline workflows, and improve patient satisfaction.
Among given hospital management software, we recommend Aarogya HMIS as the best choice for your hospital. It offers a cloud-based deployment option, which can save you the cost and hassle of maintaining hardware and software. Aarogya HMIS is trusted by more than 5000 hospitals across India, and has received positive feedback from its users.
If you want to experience the benefits of Aarogya HMIS, you can request a free demo or a quote from the website.
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