Top 10 EHRs and Why They Should Integrate Wearables
In the rapidly evolving world of healthcare, the integration of wearable health technology with Electronic Health Records (EHRs) is becoming more important than ever. With millions of people using devices like smartwatches, fitness trackers, and other wearable sensors, the value of real-time health data is undeniable. But in order for this data to have a significant impact, it needs to be seamlessly integrated into existing EHR systems.
In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 EHR systems and why they should prioritize the integration of wearable devices to enhance patient care, improve outcomes, and streamline healthcare workflows.
1. Epic Systems
Epic Systems is one of the largest and most widely used EHR systems in healthcare today. Epic has a well-established track record in integrating various health technologies and should extend this by incorporating wearables into their system. The continuous data from wearables, such as heart rate, activity levels, and sleep patterns, can provide clinicians with a much more holistic view of a patient’s health. Integrating wearable data with Epic could improve the accuracy of diagnoses and enhance personalized care plans.
Why integrate wearables?
Real-time data for more personalized treatment plans
Improved patient monitoring outside the clinical setting
Enhanced ability to track chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease
2. Cerner
Cerner is another dominant player in the EHR space, known for its intuitive interface and broad compatibility with a range of health devices. Wearable technology can significantly enhance Cerner’s platform by adding continuous health data that can be analyzed alongside medical histories. Integrating wearables with Cerner would allow healthcare providers to proactively intervene when they see data trends, preventing adverse health events before they occur.
Why integrate wearables?
Early detection of health issues
Data-driven decisions for treatment
Improved patient engagement through real-time monitoring
3. Allscripts
Allscripts provides customizable EHR solutions for healthcare organizations of all sizes. The company already supports a variety of third-party integrations, so adding wearable data would be a natural next step. Wearables provide valuable, real-time insights into a patient’s health outside of the office visit, which can be critical for managing chronic conditions and improving health outcomes.
Why integrate wearables?
Continuous patient monitoring outside of visits
Better management of chronic conditions through real-time data
Enhanced patient satisfaction with more frequent health tracking
4. MEDITECH
MEDITECH is known for its user-friendly and flexible EHR solutions. By integrating wearable data into its platform, MEDITECH could take healthcare to the next level. The integration would allow clinicians to monitor patients remotely and continuously, improving early detection and intervention. With wearables tracking things like blood pressure, glucose levels, and heart rate, the integration could provide powerful insights into patient health.
Why integrate wearables?
Remote patient monitoring to reduce readmission rates
More accurate tracking of patients with chronic conditions
Improved patient care continuity
5. NextGen Healthcare
NextGen Healthcare offers a robust EHR platform that serves small practices to large healthcare systems. The integration of wearables with NextGen would provide comprehensive data on a patient’s day-to-day health and wellness, helping clinicians make more informed decisions about treatment. The wearable data could help reduce hospital readmissions by allowing proactive intervention based on real-time information.
Why integrate wearables?
Enhance preventive care through continuous data
Improved communication between patients and providers
Real-time alerts to prevent health crises
6. Athenahealth
Athenahealth is a cloud-based EHR system that is designed to improve the administrative and clinical workflows of healthcare providers. By integrating wearable technology, Athenahealth can provide more personalized care plans. Wearables can help clinicians monitor patients in real-time, making it easier to adjust treatment plans based on continuous data.
Why integrate wearables?
Improved patient outcomes through continuous health monitoring
Reduced time spent on manual health data entry
Proactive management of chronic diseases
7. Greenway Health
Greenway Health is known for its comprehensive EHR solutions, but the integration of wearables could further enhance its ability to manage patient health effectively. With wearable data integrated into the Greenway platform, physicians would have immediate access to valuable insights, allowing them to make better-informed decisions and engage patients more effectively.
Why integrate wearables?
Improve patient engagement and adherence to treatment plans
Real-time insights into patient progress
Facilitate more accurate and timely decision-making
8. eClinicalWorks
eClinicalWorks is a popular EHR system that provides healthcare organizations with tools to streamline patient care and improve outcomes. The company is already known for integrating different health technologies, making the addition of wearables a logical next step. The data collected from wearables could help track patients' progress, enhance remote monitoring, and reduce unnecessary office visits.
Why integrate wearables?
Better management of chronic conditions through continuous monitoring
Greater patient engagement through real-time health data
More accurate and up-to-date health records
9. Practice Fusion
Practice Fusion is a cloud-based EHR that is widely used by small to mid-sized practices. By integrating wearables with Practice Fusion, providers could tap into valuable patient data from the comfort of their own homes. This could be particularly valuable for managing patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and asthma, who benefit from consistent monitoring.
Why integrate wearables?
Streamlined care for chronic condition management
Real-time data that empowers patients to take control of their health
Reduction in emergency room visits and hospital admissions
10. CureMD
CureMD is an affordable and innovative EHR system that offers a range of features for improving patient care. Integrating wearables with CureMD could provide real-time health data, allowing physicians to monitor patients more closely and identify health trends early. This integration would enable healthcare providers to make better decisions and deliver more personalized care.
Why integrate wearables?
Real-time data for more personalized healthcare
Greater insight into patient health between visits
Enhanced ability to monitor and track key health metrics
Why EHRs Should Integrate Wearables
Improved Patient Monitoring: Wearables allow for continuous, real-time monitoring of key health metrics, such as heart rate, sleep patterns, and activity levels. This data can be integrated into EHRs to provide a more holistic view of a patient's health.
Better Chronic Disease Management: Chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease require constant management. Wearables help track critical health indicators that can alert healthcare providers to potential issues before they become serious.
Personalized Care Plans: Real-time data from wearables enables providers to create more personalized care plans for patients. This data can guide treatment decisions and ensure that patients are receiving the care they need, when they need it.
Increased Patient Engagement: When patients see their health data in real-time, they are more likely to take ownership of their wellness. Integrating wearables into EHR systems fosters greater engagement and helps improve health outcomes.
Proactive Healthcare: By having access to continuous data, healthcare providers can intervene early in cases where a patient’s health is deteriorating. This can reduce hospitalizations and improve patient outcomes.
Conclusion
Integrating wearable data with EHR systems will undoubtedly enhance the way healthcare providers manage and monitor patient health. The ability to track real-time data, improve patient engagement, and provide personalized care will result in better health outcomes for patients and more efficient workflows for providers. As the healthcare industry continues to embrace digital health technologies, the integration of wearables into EHRs will become a vital component of modern healthcare.
