Electronic Health Records (EHRs) have revolutionized the healthcare industry by providing a more streamlined and efficient way to manage patient data.
The use of EHRs has become increasingly widespread, and as a result, there is a growing interest in the statistics and trends associated with EHR adoption, usage, and impact.
In this blog post, we will explore EHR statistics that cover a wide range of topics related to the use of electronic health records in healthcare.
Table 1: EHR Adoption Rates by Healthcare Professionals
| Healthcare Professionals | Adoption Rate |
|---|---|
| Hospitals | 100% |
| Primary Care Physicians | 79% |
| Community Center Medical Practitioners | 98% |
Table 2: EHR Satisfaction Rates by Users
| Satisfaction Level | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Very Satisfied | 60% |
| Not Very Satisfied | 28% |
| No Response | 12% |
Table 3: EHR Benefits Acknowledged by Healthcare Professionals
| EHR Benefits |
|---|
| Prescription order entry |
| Patient record management |
| Clinical notes management |
| Medication management |
| Problem list management |
| View lab results |
Table 4: EHR Adoption Rates by Hospitals
| Hospital Type | Adoption Rate |
|---|---|
| Non-federal acute care hospitals | 100% |
| Small, rural, and critical access hospitals | 80% |
Table 5: EHR Adoption Rates by Specialty
| Medical Specialty | Adoption Rate |
|---|---|
| Medicine/Pediatrics | 76% |
| Nephrology/Family Practice | 75% |
| Urology | 74% |
Table 6: EHR Adoption and Meaningful Use Rates by PPCPs
| PPCP Type | EHR Adoption | Meaningful Use Rate |
|---|---|---|
| REC-enrolled Priority Primary Care Providers (PPCPs) | 100% | 80% |
Table 7: EHR Adoption and Usage Rates Over Time
| Year | Adoption Rate | Usage Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 40% | N/A |
| 2013 | N/A | 10% |
| Present | 67% | 70% |
Table 8: EHR Vendor Landscape
| Year | Number of Vendors |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 1100 |
| 2015 | 550 |
Key EHR Statistics 2023 – MY Choice
- In 2017, over 86% of office-based physicians in the US were using an EHR system.
- The global EHR market size is expected to reach $39.7 billion by 2025.
- In a survey, 92% of healthcare providers reported that their EHR system positively impacted their practice’s clinical workflows.
- Around 35% of healthcare providers reported that their EHR system decreased the amount of time spent on administrative tasks.
- The top benefits of using EHRs are improved patient care (62%), better communication with patients (60%), and increased practice efficiency (56%).
- EHR adoption rates are highest in hospitals (96%) compared to other healthcare settings.
- The average EHR implementation takes between 6-12 months and costs around $15,000-$70,000 per provider.
- In a survey of healthcare providers, 64% reported that their EHR system has improved the quality of care provided to patients.
- The most commonly used EHR software in the US is Epic, followed by Cerner and Allscripts.
- EHRs have the potential to save healthcare providers up to $78 billion per year in healthcare costs.
EHR Stats
| EHR Statistics | Results |
| Percentage of surveyed doctors who believe that patient care benefits outweigh the costs of EHR adoption in 2012 | 60% |
| Percentage of surveyed doctors who do not believe that patient care benefits outweigh the costs of EHR adoption in 2012 | 40% |
| Percentage of surveyed doctors who believe that patient care benefits outweigh the costs of EHR adoption in 2011 | 68% |
| Percentage of surveyed doctors who do not believe that patient care benefits outweigh the costs of EHR adoption in 2011 | 32% |
| Percentage of physicians reporting that EHR use was associated with clinical benefits related to providing recommended care, ordering appropriate tests, and facilitating patient communication | Between 30% and 50% |
| Physicians with EHRs meeting Meaningful Use criteria and longer EHR experience most likely to report benefits across all 10 measures | Yes, 76% |
| Share of physicians who report that the use of their EHR system has led to clinical benefits (%) | For six measures, between 30% and 46% |
| Percentage of physicians with EHRs meeting Meaningful Use criteria and 2 or more years of EHR experience who report EHR benefits across almost all measures examined | 85% |
| Percentage of the top six EHR vendors owning the market | Fully 54% |
| Global video telemedicine market predicted to grow to $1,624.4 million by the end of 2020 | Yes |
| Percentage of physician e-prescribers who used EHR software in 2011 | 82% |
| Percentage of respondents who recently implemented new EHR software and say their EHR systems resulted in financial losses for the practice | 65% |
| Percentage of EHR software directory products that are cloud | 51% |
| Percentage of users who can use their EHR on their tablet or smartphone reported being “very satisfied” with their software | 58% |
| Percentage of EHR system installations that could be considered a failure according to the Fox Group | 20% |
| Percentage of office-based physician adoption of any EHRs since 2008 | More than doubled, from 42% to 86% |
| Overall EHR adoption rate in the US in 2012 | 40% |
| Significant increase in overall EHR adoption rate in 2017 | 67% |
| Percentage of primary care physicians using EHR with an adoption rate of certified EHR | 79% |
| Record of medical practitioners in community centers regarding EHR adoption | 98% |
| Office-based physician adoption of an EHR has nearly doubled from about 40% to 89% in the last few years | Yes |
| Medicine/pediatrics EHR adoption rate | 76% |
| Nephrology and family practice EHR adoption rate | 75% |
| Urology EHR adoption rate | 74% |
| Critical access hospitals EHR adoption rate in 2011 | 20% |
| Critical access hospitals EHR adoption rate in 2015 | 80% |
| Percentage of non-federal critical access hospitals that have achieved EHR adoption as per Definitive Healthcare data from 2020 | Yes |
| Percentage of psychiatric hospitals that reported EHR adoption in 2008 | 7% |
| Percentage of psychiatric hospitals that reported EHR adoption in 2015 | 15% |
| Percentage of hospitals using a basic EHR system according to ONC published EHR adoption data via the Health IT Dashboard | 83.8% |
| Percentage of hospitals possessing a certified EHR technology according to ONC published EHR adoption data via the Health IT Dashboard | 96% |
| Percentage of individuals confident their medical records are safe from unauthorized viewing | 84% |
| Percentage of individuals who reported experiencing a gap in information exchange when they went to a doctor in the past 12 months | 32% |
| Percentage of non-Federal general acute care hospitals that had adopted a 2015 Edition certified electronic health record in data from 2019 and 2021 | 86% |
| Percentage of surveyed patients under the age of 40 who are dissatisfied with their organizations’ use of patient engagement technology according to Black Book | 89% |
| Percentage of patients who are specifically looking for providers who use advanced health IT according to Black Book | 84% |
| Percentage of school nurses who expect from an EHR system | 91% |
| Percentage of school nurses who have adopted an EHR platform | 91% |
| Percentage of EHR users who reported that EHR use enhanced patient care overall, helped them access a patient’s chart remotely, and alerted them to a potential medication error and critical lab values | Most physicians with EHRs |
| Percentage of physicians who are using an electronic health records systems or are in the process of installing one | 82% |
| Percentage of physicians who reported decreased productivity due to EHRs | 26% |
| Percentage of physicians who are not happy with their EHRs | More than one half |
| Percentage of physicians who said that EHRs made them more efficient | 23% |
| Percentage of physicians who reported that their systems enabled them to earn more money | 6% |
| Percentage of physicians who are interested in mobile EHRs | 91% |
| Percentage of healthcare data that remains unstructured | 80% |
| Percentage of EHR users who have reported being “very satisfied” with the system | About 60% |
| Percentage of healthcare professionals who have admitted that EHR has helped them manage prescription order entry, patient records, clinical notes, medications, problem list, and view lab results | More than 83% |
| Percentage of hospitals eligible for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Program that have achieved meaningful use of certified health IT | About 95% |
| Percentage of all hospitals that have implemented inpatient or ambulatory EHR systems according to Definitive Healthcare data from 2020 | More than 89% |
| Percentage of patients who reported not using a patient portal during the past year in a study analyzing patient portal use among insured patients | 63% |
| Percentage of patients who reported not having been offered access to a portal in a study analyzing patient portal use among insured patients | 60% |
| Percentage of physicians who showed that their EHR detracted from professional satisfaction in a survey conducted by Stanford University | 54% |
| Percentage of clinicians surveyed who indicated that their EHR reduced their clinical effectiveness in the Stanford survey | 49% |
| Percentage of EHR systems that either fail or fail to be properly utilized | More than 50% |
| Percentage of technology projects that fail outright across all industries | 25% |
| Percentage of technology projects that don’t show any return on investment | 20 to 25% |
| Percentage of technology projects that will require massive reworking after being launched | Up to 50% |
| Percentage of events in which EHRs resulted in patient harm | 3% |
| Percentage of total clinician stress contributed by clinical process design and the clinical culture, both of which can be negatively impacted by an EHR, according to a study published recently | Approximately 40% |
| Percentage of respondents who said that EHR documentation contributes to feelings of burnout according to Definitive’s database of cognitive overload in physicians | Over 77% |
Why is Electronic Health Record (EHR) important in healthcare?
EHR is important in healthcare as it helps healthcare professionals manage health records efficiently. With 80% of healthcare data being unstructured, EHR provides advanced tools for hassle-free management. It enables easier handling of prescription order entry, patient records, clinical notes, medications, problem lists, and lab results, leading to improved workflow in healthcare organizations.
What is the adoption rate of EHR in the US?
The adoption rate of EHR in the US has significantly increased over the years. In 2012, the overall adoption rate was 40%, which rose to 67% in 2017. Primary care physicians have a high adoption rate of 79% for certified EHR, and medical practitioners in community centers have a 98% adoption rate.
How satisfied are healthcare professionals with EHR systems?
According to a survey, approximately 60% of EHR users report being “very satisfied” with the system, indicating a positive response to its implementation. Only 28% of users do not share the same level of satisfaction.
What percentage of hospitals have achieved meaningful use of certified health IT?
About 95% of hospitals eligible for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Program have achieved meaningful use of certified health IT. This shows a high level of adoption and utilization of EHR systems in healthcare facilities.
How has the use of EHR functionalities evolved over time?
The use of EHR functionalities has significantly increased over the years. From 2013 to the present, the percentage of users who view, download, and transmit health records online has risen from 10% to over 70%. This demonstrates the growing reliance on EHR systems for accessing and managing health information electronically.
How many healthcare vendors offer EHR solutions?
The demand for EHR has led to an increase in the number of vendors offering EHR solutions. Currently, there are approximately 1100 vendors in the market, which is twice the number compared to four years ago. This indicates the expanding availability and choices of EHR systems for healthcare organizations.
What is the adoption rate of EHR among different medical specialties?
Adoption rates vary among different medical specialties. Medicine/pediatrics has an adoption rate of 76%, nephrology and family practice have a rate of 75%, and urology has a rate of 74%. This highlights the widespread utilization of EHR across various fields of medicine.
How many healthcare professionals have reported using EHR for various tasks?
More than 83% of healthcare professionals have reported using EHR for tasks such as prescription order entry, patient records management, clinical notes, medication tracking, problem lists, and viewing lab results. This demonstrates the broad range of functionalities that EHR systems provide in healthcare settings.
What is the EHR adoption rate among small, rural, and critical access hospitals?
More than 80% of small, rural, and critical access hospitals have adopted a basic EHR with clinician notes. This signifies the importance of EHR systems in improving healthcare delivery and management in these types of facilities.
How has the adoption of EHR among office-based physicians changed over time?
The adoption of EHR among office-based physicians has nearly doubled over the years. It has increased from about 40% to 89%, indicating a significant shift towards digital record-keeping and electronic health management in physician practices.
What percentage of Priority Primary Care Providers (PPCPs) demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology?
About eight out of ten Priority Primary Care Providers (PPCPs) enrolled in Regional Extension Centers (RECs) demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology. This shows the successful integration and utilization of EHR systems among PPCPs.
How many REC-enrolled PPCPs have EHR installed and routinely use the technology?
More than 95% of REC-enrolled PPCPs have an EHR installed and regularly use the technology. This highlights the widespread adoption and acceptance of EHR systems among healthcare providers participating in REC programs.
Adoption and Usage of EHRs
- In 2021, 91% of hospitals in the United States had adopted EHRs, up from just 9% in 2008.
- In 2021, 75% of office-based physicians in the United States had adopted EHRs, up from 42% in 2008.
- As of 2021, 98% of hospitals in the United States had a certified EHR system in place.
- As of 2021, 96% of office-based physicians in the United States were using certified EHR technology.
- Among primary care physicians in the United States, 89% reported using EHRs in 2021.
- In 2021, 75% of behavioral health organizations in the United States were using EHRs.
- In 2021, 90% of long-term care providers in the United States were using EHRs.
- In 2021, 80% of outpatient clinics in the United States were using EHRs.
| Trend | Description |
|---|---|
| Adoption of virtual health | Virtual health has become a necessity, especially after COVID-19 restrictions. The adoption of virtual care is expected to continue growing. |
| Integration and interoperability | The need for integrating electronic health record (EHR) systems with other systems and ensuring interoperability is increasing. EHRs are more robust and offer better interoperability compared to electronic medical records (EMRs). The distinction between EMRs and EHRs is blurring, and EHRs are increasingly becoming the norm. Cloud-based EHRs and blockchain technology can further enhance interoperability. |
| Cloud computing | Cloud computing is gaining traction in the healthcare industry due to staff shortages and the need for outsourcing administrative and clinical services. Cloud-based solutions offer cost-effectiveness, flexibility, and security advantages. |
| Standardization | EHR regulations are standardized, and practices need to meet those standards to avoid penalties and qualify for meaningful use. Standardized application programming interfaces (APIs) are being implemented to improve communication between EHR systems and smartphone applications, allowing easier access to structured electronic health information. |
| Robotic process automation (RPA) | RPA is being used to automate processes in EHR systems, enhancing workflows and reducing manual entry requirements. RPA allows digital labor to maintain what works effectively while addressing underlying problems. |
| Telehealth | Integrating EHR systems with telehealth platforms enables remote care and improves clinical workflows. Telehealth, along with EMR systems, facilitates high-quality patient care in a remote environment, automating data entries, synchronizing insurance information, streamlining virtual care activities, enhancing patient-physician engagement, and boosting collaboration. |
| IoT, AI & Voice recognition | The use of IoT devices and artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare is increasing. IoT in healthcare enables connectivity and data exchange, while AI helps in diagnostics, identifying health trends, and incorporating voice recognition in EHR software. Natural language processing (NLP) can improve physician efficiency, and the integration of AI and automation tools improves patient case analysis and insurance preauthorization processes. |
| Error reduction | EHR systems aim to reduce errors caused by illegible handwriting or dependency on digitalization. However, the high number of message alerts and notifications can overwhelm practitioners, leading to mistakes. Error reduction remains a crucial focus area for EHR improvement. |
| Blockchain and EHR | Blockchain technology is being used to secure EHR data and ensure its accessibility to authorized individuals. It has potential applications in validating clinical trials, tracking medicine distribution, authenticating prescriptions, and preventing insurance fraud. Smart contracts can also use blockchain for automation, reducing human involvement. Blockchain adoption is increasing in EHR systems to enhance security, scalability, and confidentiality. |
Benefits of EHRs
- The use of EHRs can improve patient safety by reducing medication errors and adverse drug events.
- EHRs can improve care coordination by providing access to patient data across different providers and care settings.
- EHRs can improve efficiency by reducing paperwork and streamlining administrative tasks.
- EHRs can improve population health management by providing access to population-level data for public health monitoring and research.
- The use of EHRs has been associated with reductions in healthcare costs and improvements in care quality.
Challenges of EHRs
- EHR implementation can be costly, with estimates ranging from $15,000 to $70,000 per provider.
- EHR implementation can be time-consuming, with an average implementation time of 14.4 months.
- EHR usability and user satisfaction are common concerns, with some studies reporting high rates of physician burnout related to EHR use.
- Interoperability remains a challenge, with different EHR systems often unable to communicate with one another.
- Data security and privacy concerns are a common issue, with EHRs being a potential target for cyber attacks.
EHRs and Patient Engagement
- Patients who have access to their EHRs are more engaged in their care and have better outcomes.
- Patients who are able to view their EHRs online are more likely to adhere to medication regimens.
- The use of EHRs can improve patient-provider communication and shared decision-making.
- The use of patient portals and secure messaging can facilitate patient engagement with EHRs.
EHRs and Data Analytics
- EHRs provide a rich source of data for clinical research and quality improvement initiatives.
- The use of EHR data for research purposes has increased dramatically in recent years.
- EHR data can be used to identify high-risk patients and target interventions to improve outcomes.
- The use of data analytics with EHRs has been shown to improve care quality and reduce costs.
An EHR implementation failure can be defined as the inability of an electronic health record system to perform its required functions or meet expectations. The definition of failure varies depending on the context and the expectations attached to the project. It may include disruptions to a practice’s operations, significant financial impact, or failure to meet objectives.
Estimates indicate that around 20% to 25% of EHR system installations can be considered failures. However, the rate of failure can vary depending on how failure is defined. Some studies suggest that more than 50% of EHR systems either fail or are not properly utilized. Additionally, technology projects in general, including EHR projects, have an estimated failure rate of 25% outright failure, 20-25% with no return on investment, and up to 50% requiring significant reworking after launch.
EHR implementation failures can have various consequences, ranging from patient safety risks to financial problems for healthcare organizations. Some common consequences include compromised patient safety, high clinician burnout, low job satisfaction, declines in clinical effectiveness, financial losses, poor usability, productivity and efficiency loss, patient engagement failure, patient dissatisfaction, and financial risks for hospitals.
EHR failures can compromise patient safety, leading to harmful incidents. Some examples include medication-ordering functionality failing to flag potentially harmful drug orders, which could have fatal consequences. Studies have reported EHR-related patient safety events, with a small percentage resulting in patient harm, including deaths.
EHR failures can contribute to high clinician burnout rates and low job satisfaction. Poorly planned workflows and incompatible system interfaces can cause stress and dissatisfaction among clinicians. Studies indicate that EHR-related burnout rates are significant, with clinicians reporting increased working hours and attributing burnout to EHR usage.
EHR implementation failures can result in financial problems for healthcare practices. These failures may lead to significant financial losses, including costs associated with implementation, inadequate financial modeling, and ongoing expenses. Studies show that a majority of practices experience financial losses due to EHR systems.
Usability is a critical factor in EHR implementation success. Studies have shown that EHRs often receive low ratings in terms of usability compared to other technologies. Poor usability can affect user satisfaction, productivity, and efficiency, contributing to the perception of EHR implementation failures.
EHR failures can hinder patient engagement efforts, such as the use of patient portals for communication and access to health records. Despite efforts to promote patient portal adoption, many patients do not use them, and satisfaction with organizations’ use of patient engagement technology may decline as a result.
Hospitals undergoing EHR rollouts face financial risks, including operating losses, lower patient volumes, and receivables write-offs. The scale of hospital operations increases the potential impact of financial losses in case of EHR implementation failures.
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