EHRs have been in the care of many health facilities since the 1960s. Where once only large hospitals had EHR capability, they are now commonplace; approximately 90% of medical groups use EHRs. They enhance organizational management by availing patients’ records, aiding doctors in making the right decisions, as well as minimizing medical mistakes.
EHRs engage patients more in their improvement and health wellness besides advocating for preventive measures. In the same respect, EHRs assist medical practices in the reduction of cost through decreasing confusion, wastage of time, and repeating work.
In the year 2025, new technology is predicted to advance the EHRs and make them more efficient. Here, six trends that are important in determining the future of EHRs are described below.
1. Standardization
Standardization supports the availability of structured EHR systems and the ability of healthcare providers to deliver quality care. This trend is being driven by institutions such as the CMS and the ONC, which have been promoting the improvements in these areas.
Healthcare professionals who conduct EHRs have to abide by certain measures to be eligible for government incentives such as the Promoting Interoperability Program of Medicare. In calendar year 2025, providers will be required to have CEHRT that meets these criteria.
Thirdly, standardized Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are on the rise as well. APIs can be described as platforms that enable multiple software systems to be integrated. For example, APIs make it safer for the patient to access their records using smartphone apps.
2. Interoperability
Interoperability just implies that EHR systems can exchange information with each other, and this has the effect of making data exchange between caregivers, institutions, or patients much easier. This trend will also remain the same in 2025.
The ONC’s rules dictate that EHR systems need to include standardized APIs; these make it easier for providers and patients to access data. This minimizes the additional workload required to work with e-health records optimally. EHR vendors will continue to enhance their systems in 2025, along with these new requirements.
3. Telehealth Integration
Telemedicine received a massive push during the pandemic, and it’s safe to say it is here to stay. The telehealth market will experience high growth potential worldwide due to increasing general healthcare costs, chronic diseases, and the aging population.
Telehealth costs less than traditional face-to-face visits and has enhanced the experience of patient care, particularly for individuals in distant areas. Telehealth site support for EHRs will increase with 60 percent of telehealth platforms fully integrated into them in 2025.
This will help the healthcare givers in sharing information and also in the improvement of remote healthcare delivery and patient satisfaction.
4. Integration with Wearables
Smartwatches, fitness trackers, and other wearable health devices like the Fitbit are all in vogue now. By these devices, users are able to monitor their activity, sleep, medications, and even total health status. Also, EHR systems will continue to connect to wearable technology as the market for wearable devices expands.
Through wearables linked to EHRs, the provider will be able to have a real-time monitoring system on the patient’s condition. This will extend the ability to check on chronically ill patients, give appropriate care plans, and improve the general health of a population.
For example, worn technologies can be useful to monitor such things as vital signs or activity, which can lead to changes in the treatment plan. It holds great potential in changing the face of preventive care and enhancing patient health.
5. Growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning (ML)
AI and ML are steadily infiltrating the healthcare scene, and EHR deployment incorporated with AI and ML is anticipated to expand in 2025. By analyzing large sets of patient data, trends, and potential risks, AI can support healthcare professionals in making better decisions.
For instance, AI can help identify diseases, suggest treatments, and enhance clinicians’ decision-making processes. At the same time, such AI solutions as voice recognition and Virtual Scribe will be helpful for healthcare providers as they will allow minimizing the time spent on documentation and possible errors in patient records.
6. Real-Time Data and Analytics
The final key trend in 2025 is the details about real-time data and analysis of the EHRs. EHRs contain vast amounts of data about patients, and this data is being used in enhancing patient care by healthcare providers. By the year 2025, it is projected that the electronic health records system can incorporate better data analytics to make pattern recognition, decision-making, and outcome prediction better.
From these data, better treatment approaches can be established, the quality of the health facilities enhanced, and the efficiency of personnel and other necessities increased. These data can also be used to detect new trends in health, including diseases and possible outbreaks, and get a general assessment of the efficacy of provided treatment.
Conclusion
While moving towards 2025, the role of EHRs in the healthcare system is going to be more progressive. As the EHRs become more standardized and integrated, telemedicine, wearables, AI, and data analytics will advance EHR systems and provide more effective patient care.
The organizations that adopt these trends will be more prepared in offering quality, efficient, and coordinated care to their clients.
If these trends are identified and followed, then healthcare professionals can keep on moving with EHR technology and enhance the experience of the patients in the year 2025 and thereafter.
