Questions hospitals ask before switching.
Do we really need electronic medical records, or is it all just hype?
EMR systems are the way modern hospital practice works now, not a future trend. The question has shifted from “do I need an EMR?” to “when will I adopt one?” As Nigeria gets increasingly cashless, hospitals are, sooner or later, going paperless too, and doing it on your own timeline beats being forced into it later.
Is it really possible to practice paperlessly in Nigeria, given the infrastructure challenges?
Yes, and the clearest evidence is that hospitals already running SwiftPractice are doing exactly this today. Practices typically pair the system with an inverter setup for uninterrupted power, and SwiftPractice itself is designed to run comfortably on ordinary local hardware and networks, with no specialised data centre required.
Does SwiftPractice accommodate scanned photos, images and documents?
Yes. Images, lab results, radiology reports and documents of any kind can be scanned in (PDF or image format) and linked to a client’s electronic record. This also gives you a bridge for staff who aren’t yet comfortable using the system directly: their notes can be scanned and filed in the meantime.
How do you ensure privacy and security of patient records?
Access is protected by role-based user rights, so staff only reach the areas they’ve been given privilege to use. That said, software alone isn’t the whole story: a properly managed network, with staff trained and expected to follow good security practice, is just as important as the system itself.
Do we need an internet connection to use SwiftPractice?
Generally, no. SwiftPractice runs primarily as an intranet application, so day-to-day speed and availability don’t depend on internet bandwidth or uptime. A small number of features (emailing reports to clients or retainers, and syncing appointments from a public website) do need internet access when you use them.
Some of our staff aren't very confident with computers. Can they still use an EMR?
Yes. SwiftPractice is deliberately built to feel like browsing a familiar website, not like learning specialised software. Clients tell us it’s closer to using a social app than an accounting package. Staff who are already comfortable online tend to pick it up within days; everyone gets there with a bit of practice.
What happens to our accumulated paper records, or data we already have in Excel or Access?
You don’t need to start over. Existing paper records can be scanned, classified and filed into the client’s electronic record, and existing spreadsheet or database data can be migrated into SwiftPractice as part of onboarding.
We have particular needs. Can the software be customized?
Yes. SwiftPractice is built to fit your hospital’s workflow, not to make your hospital fit the software. Most practices are happy with the out-of-the-box functionality; where something specific is needed, it’s discussed as part of onboarding and ongoing support.
We don't have a specialised server room or network staff. Can we still use SwiftPractice?
Yes. While a stronger hardware setup gives the best experience, SwiftPractice doesn’t require a dedicated server room or full-time network staff: any regular modern PC can serve as the server for a smaller practice, backed by a disciplined backup regime.
Can we use tablets or smartphones, like iPads or Android devices?
Yes, when connected to the hospital’s local network. This is particularly useful for ward rounds and other ambulatory work within the facility, where carrying a full workstation isn’t practical.
Still have questions?
Reach out and we'll answer directly, or set up a demo and show you instead.