Overview
Patient healthcare has become more efficient and secure with the introduction of Electronic Health Records (EHR).
EHR systems contain details of a patient’s medical history and are a lot more than a computerized paper chart. Electronic Health Record Systems can share patient information with other care providers, specialists, insurance companies, laboratories , and with the patients themselves. The information can be accessed by all clinicians who contribute towards the patient’s quality and safety of care.
In this article, we will explore the top EHR trends in healthcare IT that we expect to prosper in 2022 and the years to come.
Healthcare Industry Trends 2022
The future of EHR is focused on providing exceptional patient care, streamlining physician’s workflow, and creating greater health outcomes for patients by the adoption of technology.
1. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Using artificial intelligence (AI) in the field of healthcare is not news anymore. Many hospitals and healthcare facilities are already using AI and machine learning to conduct analyses, gather information, and draw conclusions.
One exciting avenue of using AI in medicine revolves around analyzing and reading medical images.
Example of introducing AI in an EHR: Adding features of voice recognition technology wherein a physician could ask the EHR system to give specific details about an individual patient’s iron levels depicted on a blood test report. The system can also detect and inform the doctor whether the iron level falls in the healthy range category.
Another use of AI in medicine will be in pathology, where computers will analyze tissue samples to decipher biopsies and identify specific patterns. This is crucial to confirm the diagnosis of most diseases.
Is Artificial Intelligence the Next Step in EHR Software?
Many EHR vendors foresee a future in which EHR software is imbued with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning capabilities, and connected to all sorts of new devices in the internet of things (IoT).
2. Big Data Management
You have probably heard of using big data in several fields, especially by gigantic companies like Google and Amazon.
However, healthcare is finally catching up with this trend, where big data is becoming more involved in processing patients’ data and coming up with predictive analyses.
One practical use of big data in healthcare focuses on tackling the opioid crisis in the US.
Also Read – Importance of data collection in healthcare
3. Influence of 5G
The healthcare sector is not ready to incorporate the fifth generation in technology due to the lack of compatibility in the EHR systems as of now. Increased speed of 5G , when incorporated in health systems, will have an impact on the overall dimensions of the quality and application of care delivery.
4. Predictive Analysis
Utilizing precision medicine to conduct predictive analyses and develop helpful graphs is one of the trends expected to bloom in 2022.
Predictive Analytics utilizes statistical approaches and technology developed by scientists that gather an ample amount of data and then use techniques of AI to create a prediction profile from historical data.
This predictive profile can be applied to a new individual patient to make better decisions and allow EHR Solutions to improve patient experience and care. These factors make the Electronic Health Record software a more reliable and convenient source of patients’ healthcare data.
Using the technology of machine learning, Mount Sinai Health System in New York City created models. Identifying the risk of heavy mortality and morbidity in COVID-19 patients, which allowed for better management and greater outcomes.
Pittsburgh-based UPMC is one of the leading institutions that use data analysis to provide helpful insights for doctors and patients. Since big data and machine learning continuously improve, the results provided by these systems are becoming more accurate every year.
5. Blockchain and EHR
Industries are incorporating Blockchain, and the healthcare industry is no exception. Blockchain technology uses cryptography to secure EHR data and make it ready for use by anyone authorized to access it. Blockchain Technology establishes security as it prevents insurance fraud, confidentiality, and scalability. It also reduces human involvement by taking actions based on predetermined results.
6. Push for Interoperability
EHR/EMR interoperability lets health care organizations share and access data across other cross-organizational systems and not just within them. Interoperable systems can eradicate time-consuming and redundant tasks. Implementing interoperability can improve communication with other medical facilities. Medical errors such as misdiagnosis can be prevented if providers can gather and analyze necessary information in time with the help of interoperable systems.
7. Enhanced Patient Access
As the healthcare industry shifts to electronic records, secure access for patients to their own health data is becoming increasingly important. By accessing their medical records, patients become more informed and engaged in their healthcare journey. This leads to greater health outcomes and increased trust with their provider.
8. Internet of Medical Things
Devices that relate to one another via the internet such as wearables, CG, EKG monitors, and others provide valuable data that can be stored in the EHR. IoMT (Internet of Medical Things) allows clinicians to supervise their patients from any part of the world. Other connected devices make sure patients are taking medication as prescribed, monitor blood pressure, oxygen levels, keep track of fitness and weight, and more.
9. Virtual Reality
The healthcare industry is among the Top 3 industries that have adopted virtual reality. According to Accenture, pieces of evidence state that 82% of healthcare professionals believe that virtual reality makes it convenient to access and learn information for medical students and practicing healthcare professionals.
Virtual healthcare has been utilized more than ever after the outbreak of the pandemic. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are modern technologies in mental healthcare that enable:
- Clinic medical staff gather necessary information beforehand.
- Allow surgeons to rehearse and obtain precision in real operation, for instance, Microsoft HoloLens is a notable example of using VR in medical education.
- Treat anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorders allowing faster emotional recovery.
10. Digital Therapeutics
Digital therapeutics is software that uses interventions to bring about behavioral changes in patients, to help treat their conditions. DTx usually is done over smartphones and tablets. These products aim to be patient-centric and are growing in popularity as they meet industry requirements, publish clinical trial results in peer-reviewed journals.
Key Takeaway:
Watch out for the future trends of EHR and adopt them where possible to improve the efficiency, quality-of-care delivery and provide more patient-centric services, redefining the relationship between healthcare providers and patients.
