Moving from paper records to electronic records was one of the biggest shifts in healthcare. As electronic records meant safer, secure, and easily accessible records, many providers started embracing electronic health records. However, its rapid adoption did not start until the COVID-19 pandemic began. The overnight surge in data and the need for collaboration urged providers to adopt the latest technologies to meet the demands of a global crisis. The pandemic accelerated the adoption of EHRs as only the most technologically advanced organizations could tend to the demands of their practice.
As EHRs continue to advance, from punch cards to today’s cloud computing, there is still much room for improvement regarding this technology. The value-based care model compelled providers to go for patient-centric and intuitive systems. This article goes in-depth into the advancements in technology shaping the next generation of electronic health records and how the world can prepare for this future.
Preparing for the Next Generation of EHR
Electronic health records have completely revolutionized the healthcare landscape. Breaking down data silos, increasing patient-provider communication, improving patient outcomes, and streamlining workflow has elevated patient care and allowed providers to make better decisions.
As we keep witnessing the newest technological breakthroughs, the future of EHR seems intriguing. Let us now take a look at what future EHRs will look like:
Cloud-based
Cloud computing has taken over many industries by storm. As it provides a safe and secure platform to store data, it has been a widely adopted technology in healthcare. Cloud-based EHRs revolutionize how healthcare organizations store, manage, and access patient data. They offer many advantages, including scalability and flexibility, allowing healthcare organizations to adapt to changing needs without massive investments. Another major benefit of cloud-based EHRs is the reduction in maintenance and hardware costs, as they do not require investments in expensive servers, data centers, and staff.
It also tackles the problem of understaffing in healthcare. As healthcare organizations start outsourcing their processes like administrative, clinical, and financial operations, cloud computing has increased in demand. As entire industries are embracing the digital revolution, cloud computing will continue to innovate the new generation of EHRs.
Integrating AI/ML
Artificial intelligence is one of the hottest trends in the market, and notably so. AI has been incredible in automating repetitive processes, simplifying workflows, and improving decision-making in all industries. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into electronic health records (EHRs) is ushering in a new era of healthcare management and decision-making. It has revolutionized the way data is processed, analyzed, and leveraged to enhance patient care and efficiency.
AI algorithms like predictive analytics analyze patient history to identify trends and patterns, improving patient outcomes and elevating the precision in healthcare decision-making. Moreover, Natural Language processing, when integrated into EHRs, can help extract valuable insights from unstructured clinical notes and text. It is safe to say that AI holds great promise for EHRs, paving the way for intelligent systems that will innovate healthcare.
Patient-centered Care
Patient experience holds the highest priority in healthcare. Digital health technologies continue to improve healthcare processes and improve patient outcomes. Providers are increasingly adopting healthcare solutions that improve patient experience in this value-based healthcare landscape.
EHR is one of them. As technology advances, EHRs can leverage the power of machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) to extract insights that can enhance care. EHRs are designed to securely and safely store patient data that is easily interoperable with other systems. With a secure and intelligent platform, providers improve patient outcomes and increase efficiency.
Interoperability
Interoperability is opening the doors to more efficient, patient-centered, and coordinated care. It refers to the ability of different healthcare systems to seamlessly exchange, interpret, and use patient data. It increases care coordination, reduces medical errors, improves data sharing, and improves patient outcomes. EHRs with interoperability features will revolutionize healthcare delivery, improving patient care and overall efficiency.
Conclusion
The future of EHRs is full of cutting-edge technologies integrated into an intelligent system. This powerful EHR will streamline practice operations and improve patient care and clinical decision-making. As the world shifts to the digital revolution, the healthcare industry is also experiencing a massive shift towards more advanced systems. The next generation of EHRs will change the way healthcare is delivered.
