For a long time, experts preached about the need to migrate from a paper-based documentation systems to electronic health records. Thanks to the innovators and the governing bodies who are making this migration a reality - the age of electronic health records is here.

A recent report in Health Affairs showed that 58.9% of hospital have now adopted either a basic or comprehensive EHR—this is a four-fold increase since 2010 and the number of adoptions is still growing⁽¹⁾. So, EHRs are here to stay.  

Are these systems actually delivering what was promised? We’re now left to answer the question of what’s next?  

In order for healthcare providers to continue to offer the best possible care, within tight budgets, they must adapt within their environment of immense complexity. They need to gain agility and reliability by streamlining processes and facilitating the flow of information.  The crunch comes when this flow of information is captured across a number of applications, although todays buzz word is” interoperability” not all Electronic Health Record (EHR) vendors are delivering or enabling their clients to achieve this.  Hence whether you are in the market for a basic or comprehensive EHR, a key requirement you should be looking for in a provider is one that is HL7 compliant and offers bi-literal integration.

The next frontier in eHealth is for providers to find and deliver what you didn’t even know you were looking for. Systems that allow doctors to merge clinical experience with a technology, which is tireless and leaves no stone unturned. Further, technology that allows the less-experienced clinicians to benefit from the know-how of the more experienced.  Intuitive software that is malleable and able to be adapted quickly to the ever changing needs of your facility, you’re regulatory governing body.

eHealth’s aim is to ensure physicians have all the information they need at their fingertips.  It’s focussed on filtering the right information, having it organised fluidly according to the clinical concepts and supports complex guidelines bringing in best practice - all to empower clinicians to serve their patients better. eHealth technology isn’t here to make physicians think less, it should enable them to think more, by working with them. 

Future proof your organisation by ensuring all your vendors offer the interoperability that you need today and in the future.  This is key to delivering financially sustainable, scalable high quality health care.

Jessica Broun - Branch Manager UAE, Sláinte Healthcare

Jessica is Branch Manager of Sláinte Healthcare’s UAE Operation, based out of our offices in Abu Dhabi. Jessica has primary responsibility for the management of the Operational and Administrative functions for our activities in the Middle Eastern region. With over 10 years experience in high value customer and vendor management, as well as a background in FMCG, Jessica brings a wealth of experience to our team, having worked in roles across most business disciplines including sales, marketing, communications, national category and account management. Jessica has represented Slainte at the HIMSS, Hospital Build and Infrastructure and other eHealth conferences in the UAE.

LinkedIn: http://ae.linkedin.com/in/jessicabroun