In a post-pandemic world, there is unparalleled pressure for the Healthcare industry to be agile, responsive, and equipped to manage unexpected emergencies. Despite this demand, significant challenges surround the adoption and implementation of technology, especially concerning electronic health records (EHR) and data management. As the healthcare system transitions towards more digital solutions, it’s important for healthcare organizations to effectively manage, and protect the volumes of data generated by these systems.
However, these efforts are often hampered by a number of hurdles, from cross-system integrations to security and privacy concerns, which can lead to serious consequences for both patients and providers:
Lack of standardization in EHR systems: According to a 2019 report from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), there are over 300 different EHR systems currently in use across the U.S. healthcare industry. This lack of standardization has resulted in a patchwork of disparate systems that are often difficult to integrate, making it challenging for providers to access complete and accurate patient information.
Adverse medical outcomes: A lack of standardization and interoperability of systems can quickly lead to patient data errors, misinterpretation of medical information, and incorrect diagnoses. The Department of Veterans Affairs confirmed that the Oracle Cerner EHR system caused six incidents of "catastrophic harm" to veterans, four of which resulted in patient death.
Cybersecurity threats: In 2021, there were over 300 healthcare data breaches reported, exposing over 45 million patient records. This demonstrates the growing threat of cyber attacks on the healthcare industry and the importance of robust security and privacy measures.
