What are Ambulatory EHR Systems? +5 Top Vendors in 2025

If you’re overwhelmed by fragmented workflows or tired of toggling between healthcare platforms, consider an ambulatory EHR (electronic health record). These systems are made to meet the needs of outpatient centers like clinics and specialty practices. 

Unlike hospital systems, these tools streamline charting, billing, and scheduling for high-volume, fast-paced care. 

This guide covers the following:

• What an ambulatory EHR system is and how it differs from an inpatient EHR
• Why a custom-made system is preferable 
• Core features of ambulatory EHRs
• Leading providers and selecting the right one
• What sets one system apart, and FAQs
• Reasons for onboarding with Blaze.tech

Let’s define what ambulatory EHR systems are.

What Is an Ambulatory EHR System?

An ambulatory electronic health record (EHR) is a digital system designed to manage patient data. These systems are also known as outpatient EHRs or EMRs (electronic medical records). They support data integration to maintain high care quality and productive workflows.

Ambulatory EHRs are specifically designed to meet the needs of smaller practices, not large hospitals. They offer features for visit-based care, chronic condition management, prescription management, and referrals. You’ll be able to create personalized patient profiles and upload SOAP notes and lab results.

The primary users are primary care offices and specialty clinics. However, urgent care centers, outpatient surgery centers, and other healthcare practices can also use ambulatory EHR systems.  

Ambulatory vs Inpatient EHRs: Key Differences

There are several key differences between ambulatory EHRs and traditional inpatient systems. This is because the 2 EMRs reflect the distinct settings and priorities of outpatient and inpatient care. Here’s an overview of the differences:

Why a Purpose-Built Outpatient EHR Matters

A purpose-built ambulatory EHR system manages records based on how your specific workflow operates. By customizing your ambulatory EMR, you can reflect your unique approach to practicing medicine.

Recently, outpatient care has become a popular mode of healthcare delivery: About 1 billion medical encounters occur as physician office visits. That’s why EHR systems must support today's outpatient settings' unique, demanding workflows.

These systems reduce administrative burdens, improve decision-making, and ensure regulatory compliance. They can also integrate telehealth platforms, patient portals, and scheduling tools.

And the most convenient aspect of all: You can create your own outpatient EHR without coding. 

Core Features to Consider in an Ambulatory EHR

You’ll need to select features that support outpatient workflows, improve patient care, and simplify clinical operations. To achieve this, most EHRs offer customizable templates, integrated billing systems, and patient portals. Consider adding these key functions:

• Clinical documentation templates: These templates match the needs of different practices, from primary care to surgery. They help you document encounters quickly.

• Scheduling tools and forms: These simplify scheduling by letting patients book and fill out forms remotely.

• E-prescribing and medication history: E-prescribing lets you access a patient’s medication history, preferred pharmacy networks, and drug-allergy alerts. You can prescribe medications without requiring patients to visit your clinic.
  
  
• Secure messaging and patient portals: Secure messaging and patient portals let patients ask questions and communicate directly with providers. Patients can connect with you through video or send messages using secure chat.

• Lab integrations and diagnostics: Lab results and diagnoses can be automatically uploaded to your EMR. You can also send lab results to patients directly.

• Automated billing and coding support: AI-powered tools can help capture accurate billing codes by interpreting keywords and phrases in clinical documentation.
  
  
• Mobile and tablet optimization: Mobile-optimized EHRs help clinicians access records, document visits, and coordinate care using smartphones or tablets. This supports flexible care delivery in fast-paced outpatient environments.

• Customizability: No-code platforms like Blaze.tech offer no-code flexibility, letting you tailor your EHR without developers. You’ll be able to design a dashboard and records database that fits your workflows and scales as your clinic grows. 

The Top 5 Ambulatory EHR Vendors

Choosing the right ambulatory EHR vendor requires comparing features, performance, and customization capabilities across leading platforms. Each platform offers unique strengths in usability, interoperability, and patient-centered care. Here are 5 choices on the ambulatory EHR market:

1. Blaze.tech: Blaze is a no-code platform ideal for clinics needing fast deployment and flexible EHRs without engineering help. It offers a user-friendly interface and hands-on support to ensure a smooth onboarding process.

2. Oracle Health (Cerner): Oracle Health includes AI-powered coding, referral tracking, and digital intake tools in a durable EHR suite. Yet, legacy Cerner modules may feel impractical for smaller teams. It’s ideal for midsize to large outpatient networks prioritizing clinical consistency and interoperability.

3. NextGen Healthcare: NextGen specializes in ambulatory care for smaller clinics and community health centers. It includes customizable templates and compliance tools, though the interface may feel outdated in busy practices. It’s ideal for specialty practices and organizations participating in government incentive programs.

4. eClinicalWorks: eClinicalWorks is a budget-friendly, cloud-based ambulatory EHR with tools for patient engagement, documentation, and billing. It’s praised for affordability, but some users report inconsistent support. It’s a popular choice for solo providers and small group practices needing minimal upfront costs.

5. CureMD: CureMD delivers strong specialty features, like lab integration and automated billing tools. Setup may take time, but CureMD’s flexibility and security make it stand out in ambulatory care. It’s targeted at small to medium practices looking for scalable and customizable outpatient EHR systems.

How to Choose the Right Ambulatory EHR for Your Practice

Choosing the right ambulatory EHR means weighing clinical needs, practice size, and future scalability. Here are several factors you should evaluate: 

✅ Identify pain points: The right ambulatory EHR should address your workflow bottlenecks directly. Pain points might include charting delays, billing issues, or poor scheduling. Look for EHRs with automation and digital intake. Get a system that offers automated coding and digital intake to reduce administrative burden.

✅ Integration priorities: Integration with laboratory software, e-prescribing platforms, and billing systems is crucial. Look for a platform that supports integrations through native connections or APIs.

✅ Evaluate IT capabilities: If you’re a smaller practice without dedicated IT support, prioritize an EHR that’s cloud-based and easy to implement. Choose platforms with no-code features and low setup requirements so you can configure the system without technical support. These let you configure your system without relying on developers or consultants.

✅ Assess scalability: First, determine how much your clinic will grow in the coming years. Choose an EHR that scales with your clinic if you think your patient volume will grow. Choose an ambulatory EHR designed with enterprise scalability in mind. This is ideal if you’re planning to add new patients, locations, or services.

✅ Ensure the solution is HIPAA-compliant: Compliance is non-negotiable — your ambulatory EHR will transfer and store sensitive patient data. HIPAA-compliant EHRs encrypt your data and restrict access to only those who need it.

Can You Create an Ambulatory EHR System with a No-Code Platform?

No-code platforms let you create your own ambulatory EMR without writing a single line of code. Instead of programming, you’ll use templates, drag-and-drop builders, and prebuilt components for development. You can customize your EHR system to your precise workflows and requirements. 

Going the no-code route allows you to save money on development costs. Hiring a development agency to create your EHR can cost over $250,000. 

First and foremost, you’ll need to use a HIPAA-compliant no-code development platform. You’ll also want to consider building a few features into your EMR clinic software. Let’s take a look at them.  

Blaze: A Customizable EHR Alternative for Outpatient Clinics

Blaze is a no-code platform that can build EHR alternatives. It enables you to create an outpatient EMR that streamlines documentation, scheduling, and patient engagement. 

Without writing code, you can add all the features you need for a healthcare app that functions beyond a basic EHR. As soon as you sign up, Blaze’s helpful implementation team will introduce you to the building interface and answer any questions you may have. They’ll even ensure your EHR gets up and running smoothly and headache-free.  

The platform is HIPAA and SOC 2-compliant right out of the box, so you’ll have a HIPAA-compliant EHR. As your outpatient care grows more complex, Blaze scales with your business. It offers a flexible, scalable solution that adapts to evolving clinical needs without the overhead of traditional EHR systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ambulatory EHR Used in Hospitals?

No, ambulatory EHR systems are generally not used in inpatient hospital settings. They’re purpose-built for outpatient care, such as primary care clinics, specialty practices, and urgent care centers. 

Hospitals with outpatient departments may use ambulatory EHR modules alongside their broader inpatient systems. These modules focus on visit-based workflows, rather than the complex, multi-departmental processes handled by hospital EHR.

What Types of Clinics Use Outpatient EHR Systems?

Primary care offices and specialty clinics, such as dermatologists, cardiologists, urgent care centers, and ambulatory surgery centers, use outpatient EHR systems. These clinics typically need tools tailored for shorter visits, repeat care, and chronic condition management. 

What Features Matter Most in Ambulatory EHR Software?

The most essential features include customizable clinical documentation templates, secure patient portals, e-prescribing, integrated billing, and telehealth support. These features are key for streamlining outpatient workflows. 

No-code configurability is becoming a top priority, as it enables clinics to tailor systems to their unique needs without developer assistance, cutting down costs and implementation timelines.

Can I Integrate My Billing Software With an Ambulatory EHR?

Yes, many ambulatory EHR systems support billing software integration. Integrating billing tools allows clinics to automate coding, submit claims electronically, and reduce reimbursement delays. Platforms like Blaze, eClinicalWorks, and NextGen all offer built-in billing modules or seamless third-party compatibility. 

How Long Does Implementation Usually Take?

Implementation timelines vary depending on system complexity and customization needs. For traditional EHRs, the process can take several months. This includes integrating data and training staff. 

No-code platforms can be up and running within days or weeks. Small practices often experience faster deployment due to fewer dependencies, while larger groups may need additional time for workflow mapping and security testing.

Is Blaze Suitable for Small or Rural Practices?

Yes, Blaze is suited for small and rural practices. Its no-code approach reduces reliance on IT teams and lowers costs, making it accessible to resource-constrained clinics. 

The platform offers customizable features, rapid setup, and responsive onboarding support. It’s HIPAA and SOC 2 compliance ensures patient data remains secure. 

Say Goodbye to One-Size-Fits-All EHR Systems

Tired of your cookie-cutter and inflexible ambulatory EHR system? Ditch the traditional system and build your own with Blaze. Here are just a few apps you can add to your EHR system:

• Automated billing: Integrate a billing system into your EHR so you don’t need to toggle between programs when dealing with patients and insurance companies.   

• Patient portals: Create a portal to log into and view their clinical and medication records. You can also create scheduling features for phone-free appointment bookings. 

• Healthcare database: Build several databases that securely store patient information and your healthcare inventory. Adding these crucial databases in one spot will keep everything organized. 

See how to build your custom-crafted EHR and schedule a demo with Blaze today.