Do you want to build a healthcare saas application? The time is right.
The market for saas healthcare development is huge and not yet saturated. Healthcare organizations need the right software solution to help them streamline their day-to-day operations. The next-gen technology in healthcare saas applications brings automation and thus helps improve operational efficiency.
However, developing a custom healthcare saas application is expensive, and not all organizations can afford to spend a huge amount. A great alternative to this is the healthcare saas applications development.
Let us dive deep into the details of what it is and how to build a healthcare saas application.
Statistics
- The adoption of healthcare saas applications is surging at a rate of 20% per year and is expected to reach USD 61.84 billion by 2025.
- The global healthcare software as a service (SaaS) market is estimated to grow from USD 130.69 billion in 2021 to USD 51.7 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of 27.5% during the forecast period.
What is SaaS Software?
Software as a service (SaaS) is a cloud-based software that users can purchase for a monthly fee. Organizations can access and use the saas application on a rent. There is no need to download the software; organizations can access it directly online.
The use of saas applications in the healthcare industry has surged after the pandemic. For instance, healthcare organizations use cloud-based EHRs, EMRs, as they are more flexible, secure, and cost-effective.
Why do healthcare organizations prefer Saas Applications?
Healthcare Saas applications offer many benefits, especially for startups and businesses with limited budgets. Here are a few key reasons how saas applications benefit healthcare organizations.
1. Cost-Effective
Healthcare saas applications are cost-effective, flexible, and secure. Since healthcare institutions manage and store highly sensitive and confidential details, they cannot afford to compromise on security for cost.
SaaS applications in healthcare help save the following costs while keeping complete care of security-
- Maintenance Cost
- Hardware setup cost
- Software & hardware updates
- No initial investment
2. Scalability
Healthcare Saas applications are highly scalable. So, healthcare organizations can easily expand their reach to more customers and locations for business growth.
3. Data security
Healthcare organizations rely on the security features of saas applications to protect sensitive and confidential patient data. These applications also handle compliance and regulations like HIPAA to keep healthcare data secure and private.
4. Back-ups
Healthcare saas app providers are responsible for regular backups and software updates. So, healthcare organizations can rely on saas apps to keep their data safe and secure.
5. Real-Time Updates
Saas applications allow real-time notifications enabling healthcare organizations to access the most updated information. It enables all specialists and physicians to consult and access the latest reports anytime.
How to build a healthcare saas application?
Once you know the benefits of the healthcare saas application, you must be curious to know how to develop a healthcare saas application. So, here we are with the detailed steps of building a saas healthcare application.
1. Planning
Building a healthcare saas application is complex and challenging. Since it stores and manages complex and sensitive data, it must be highly secure and efficient.
So, building an efficient healthcare saas application needs proper planning. Planning includes identifying the needs and problems of the organization.
Once we know the problems, target audience, and demands, you can decide the features and functionalities of the application better. Planning helps avoid unnecessary iterations and reworks and helps save costs and effort.
2. Documentation
After gathering detailed information regarding the application’s requirements, it’s time to list the specifications to build the application. The list of specifications also includes the factors that affect the security and efficiency of the system. For instance, the app should be simple, secure, authorize multiple users, and more.
All these specifications are documented and followed in the entire development lifecycle. The documentation also covers specifications, contracts, HIPAA and BAA, etc. Clear and accurate documents help build high-quality MVPs.
3. UI/ UX Design
After documenting all the specifications, it’s time to build the front end for the application. Keeping the design simple & minimal with clear features and easy navigation is recommended.
If the users find it hard to search for any feature or navigate from one feature to another, they may leave the application and switch to another.
4. Selecting MVP
The MVP- minimum viable product is the basic saas application developed with the essential features to launch the app. The MVP is a great way to test a new app idea with minimal effort and cost.
MVP helps gather feedback from the audience for further improvement in the application. If the app idea succeeds, healthcare technology companies make improvements for the next version. If it doesn’t, there is no point in the next stage.
5. Start the Development Process
Once you’ve completed the planning, documentation, and finalized the technology stack, you can move on to the development stage. It is best to rely on the expertise of mobile app developers. The healthcare saas app developers are experienced and well aware of the merits and demerits of various technologies.
6. Testing
Quality assurance and testing the app quality are crucial before the launch. The app should be tested for performance, speed, responsiveness, compatibility, etc. A combination of manual and automated tests will work.
Match With The HIPAA Compliance Checklist
Healthcare saas applications must comply with HIPAA as they store and exchange patients’ confidential healthcare information. To build a HIPAA-compliant healthcare saas application, remember these points given below-
If you plan to transfer your system to a Saas application, read the contracts that ensure HIPAA Compliance. Make sure to sign the HIPAA-compliant Business Associate Agreement.
- The agreement ensures the security and privacy of confidential health information.
- Permits the use of electronically protected health information
- The SaaS application must meet the following standards- DICOM, GDPR, SNOMED CT, etc.
- Conduct regular audits.
7. Deployment and Maintenance
Once the app is tested for quality, the application is deployed on app stores. The healthcare saas app developers follow the guidelines of the app stores.
Sign a business associate agreement (BAA) with your HIPAA hosting server to ensure the healthcare saas software is HIPAA compliant. The app will run on HIPAA-compliant servers only if it fully complies with HIPAA.
How to choose a SaaS healthcare software development company?
Choosing the right healthcare saas development company can be challenging. Many factors must be considered, including experience, technical skills, past projects, etc. Let’s dive into these factors and choose the right healthcare technology consulting partner.
Before we look into the factors, business owners must know what they want from the application. Once they know their requirements well, they can look for those specific skills or factors in the healthcare saas application development company. Your requirements cover the app development budget, features, target audience, project objectives, etc.
Factors to Look for while choosing a software development company
- Check the industry experience of the outsourcing agency. Look for their years of experience in developing healthcare saas applications.
- Look at the profiles of mobile app programmers, engineers, and coders.
- Test their technical skills and ask questions to know their knowledge and skills in a particular language or technology.
- Look into their past projects and find a similarity with your project. If they have done a similar project in the past, it is an advantage for you.
- Look for the location of the development partner and see if the hourly rate of that location suits your budget.
FAQ
What is SaaS in healthcare?
Saas is healthcare software developed and hosted on cloud technology for healthcare organizations. The saas applications are faster, more efficient, and more scalable.
Why is SAAS the best business model for the healthcare industry?
Saas is ideal for the healthcare industry because of its many benefits.
- Saas healthcare development gives access to the latest technological solutions at a budget to improve security for sensitive patient data.
- Saas apps like EHRs enable physicians and other healthcare departments to access patient medical history and other data.
- Telemedicine apps enable patients to take remote doctor consultations.
- Physicians can collaborate and communicate efficiently with healthcare saas applications.
What are the popular SaaS applications in the healthcare industry?
Some popular healthcare saas applications are EHR, Telemedicine, Clinical decision support, patient portal, etc. Some big healthcare companies are Zocdoc, Flatiron Health, Caredox, Pager, and many more.
What are Saas healthcare development best practices?
Saas healthcare development is challenging. Developers can build an efficient saas healthcare application with the best development practices. Here are some of the best practices for SaaS software development.
- The Saas software should offer customization and personalization.
- Choose an appropriate SaaS architecture.
- The healthcare saas app should integrate well.
- Use a mobile-first & design-first Approach.
- Launch the application differently to gather feedback for improvisation.
Interested in building a healthcare SaaS Solution?
The healthcare saas market is growing rapidly. More and more healthcare organizations are now investing in saas applications. Saas healthcare applications are a good way to efficiently manage day-to-day operations as they are highly flexible, secure, and scalable.
Partnering with a top healthcare saas application development company will help build a top-notch saas healthcare application. Skywinds solutions provide custom healthcare saas application development services to global clients. Call us now to tell us your project requirements and book a free 30-min consultation.
