Electronic health records have been the bedrock of hospital systems for decades, providing crucial billing and patient management services. The downside is that these systems have largely remained unchanged, built on database structures and technology established in the 60s and 70s. Meanwhile, the healthcare industry has seen significant evolution, opening up huge technological possibilities this past decade alone.
As a catch-all solution to the needs of a 21st century health system, they fall woefully short. Outside pressures — from regulation to patient proactiveness — have led to an explosion of new healthcare technology that health IT professionals have tried to make their EHRs accomplish instead of implementing new solutions.
