Healthcare IT Strategy, Interoperability, and Population Health Management in the Era Following Electronic Health Records (EHR)

In a significant milestone for the healthcare industry, the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) for Health Information Technology reports that 96% of hospitals now have a federally-tested and certified Electronic Health Record (EHR) system in place 1. This marks a shift from the initial implementation phase to a new era, where the focus is on maximising the value of these investments and strategically enhancing EHR systems for innovation and impact.

This post-EHR era signifies a turning point, as healthcare organisations are now presented with new opportunities to transform care through analytics, population health, IT strategy, and improvements to the EHR itself 2. Achieving true interoperability, or the ability to exchange patient data seamlessly, is a top strategic goal in this new era 3.

However, despite widespread adoption of EHRs, only 82% of hospitals exchange patient medical records with providers outside of their own organisations 4. This highlights the need for proactive measures to enhance data sharing and foster a more integrated healthcare system.

One such proactive measure is the shift towards proactive care, where predictive analytics are used to act before illnesses escalate 5. For instance, a large, East Coast pediatric medical center was able to save $150,000 in six months by using predictive analytics on appendicitis alone 6.

To drive innovation, enhance interoperability, and maximise EHR value, companies like Clinivate offer solutions tailored to healthcare organisations 7. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, it is crucial for organisations to keep optimising applications, enhancing data sharing, and investing in future-ready infrastructure to stay ahead 8.

The journey to better care and more effective application management in the healthcare industry is one without end. The post-EHR era for healthcare organisations means a shift towards more integrated, patient-centered, and evidence-based care supported by advanced digital technologies 9. This holistic digital health approach extends beyond just electronic health records, encompassing new skills, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovative care models to address future challenges effectively.

In the post-EHR landscape, hospitals view the EHR as the foundation to support further opportunities for a satisfactory return on their investment into the EHR 10. As we move forward, it is clear that the post-EHR era promises a future of improved healthcare delivery, driven by innovation, interoperability, and a focus on proactive care.

References: [1] Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. (n.d.). Adoption Meaningful Use. Retrieved from ONC Adoption Meaningful Use

[2] Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society. (n.d.). HIMSS. Retrieved from HIMSS

[3] The National Academy of Medicine. (n.d.). Interoperability. Retrieved from The National Academy of Medicine - Interoperability

[4] Health Data Management. (2019, August 12). Only 82% of hospitals exchange patient medical records with providers outside their own organizations. Retrieved from Health Data Management

[5] Healthcare IT News. (2019, February 26). Predictive analytics: The future of precision medicine. Retrieved from Healthcare IT News

[6] Healthcare IT News. (2019, March 18). Pediatric medical center saves $150,000 with predictive analytics in six months. Retrieved from Healthcare IT News

[7] Clinivate. (n.d.). Clinivate. Retrieved from Clinivate

[8] Healthcare IT News. (2019, June 24). HIMSS Analytics: 95% of hospitals have a mobile strategy. Retrieved from Healthcare IT News

[9] The National Academy of Medicine. (n.d.). Digital Health. Retrieved from The National Academy of Medicine - Digital Health

[10] Healthcare IT News. (2019, March 19). HIMSS Analytics: 99% of hospitals have an EHR. Retrieved from Healthcare IT News

Healthcare IT Strategy, Interoperability, and Population Health Management in the Era Following Electronic Health Records (EHR)