Electronic Health Records: A Comprehensive Overview!
Electronic Health Records (EHR) was established by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) in September 2013. The concept of standards draws inspiration from global best practices and is endorsed by regulatory authorities, medical professional bodies, and stakeholders.
Understanding Electronic Health Records
An Electronic Health Record (EHR) is a digital compilation of a patient’s medical data. Which includes medical history, demographics, medications, and allergies. Plus lab test results, immunization status, and billing information. EHRs facilitate the easy sharing of data among healthcare providers within the same department, hospital, and across specialities.
Promoting EHR Adoption in India
Over the years, the MoHFW has actively promoted the adoption of EHR systems. Significant steps include offering the Systematised Nomenclature of Medicine – Clinical Terms (SNOMED CT) for free and establishing an interim National Release Centre (NRC). These efforts aim to encourage the widespread acceptance of this clinical terminology system within the healthcare IT community.
Global Growth of EHR Systems
The global reach of EHR systems has significantly accelerated their growth. In 2022, the market size was valued at USD 32.51 billion, with projections estimating it will reach nearly USD 84.21 billion by 2030, growing at an annual rate of 11.5% from 2023 to 2030.
The Necessity of EHR in Modern Healthcare In India!
As of April 1, 2023, India surpassed China as the world’s most populous country, according to the United Nations. This demographic shift presents significant advantages but also considerable challenges, such as providing adequate healthcare for all. India faces difficulties in delivering professional healthcare services, particularly in rural areas. In 2020, India spent only 2.96% of its GDP on healthcare, compared to Nepal’s 5.17%. This disparity highlights the urgent need for better healthcare solutions, especially for rural communities with limited access to specialized care.
Technology, including telehealth and telemedicine, has shown promise in bridging this gap. Integrating advanced telemedicine platforms with EHRs can greatly enhance remote diagnostics, consultations, and patient monitoring in underserved areas. Moreover, specialists in urban areas could remotely manage and treat patients in rural settings more effectively by utilizing advanced tests like endoscopies conducted in primary or community care settings.
Government Initiatives to Boost EHR Adoption
Despite the slower adoption of EHRs in India compared to Western countries, the Indian government has taken significant steps to promote EHR usage. The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission aims to establish a uniform system for creating and maintaining health records. Under this mission, over 560 million Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA) have been created, with over 340 million linked to their holders’ health records.
Incentive Schemes for EHR Usage
To further encourage the use of EHRs, the Indian government offers incentives through the Digital Health Incentives Scheme. This scheme aims to increase the adoption of digital health tools, such as mobile health apps, wearable devices, telemedicine services, and health monitoring systems, by offering financial incentives. Eligible health facilities can earn up to 4 crores based on the number of records created and linked to ABHA.
Medical facilities or health lockers can earn ₹20 for each additional transaction above the base level of 100 transactions per month, and diagnostic facilities, labs, hospital labs, clinics, and nursing homes can earn ₹5 per transaction every month.
Empowering Healthcare Providers Through EHR
The introduction of EHRs has revolutionized healthcare by streamlining and automating various tasks within medical settings. EHRs provide healthcare professionals with evidence-based information to improve patient treatment plans. Which enhances care coordination, reduce errors, and support informed decision-making. The growing use of digital medical applications in the healthcare industry drives this trend, granting healthcare providers quick access to comprehensive patient data, including prescriptions, test results, and medical history.
India’s journey towards widespread EHR adoption is a significant step in improving healthcare access and quality, particularly in underserved areas. The government’s initiatives and incentives play a crucial role in promoting the use of these digital health tools, paving the way for a more efficient and effective healthcare system.
Noteworthy EHR Applications Making Waves in 2024
Docpulse: Docpulse is a leading Indian Electronic Medical Record (EMR) company to watch in 2024. Renowned for its advanced features and dedication to high-quality healthcare services, it is designed to meet the varied needs of medical specialists across India.
Eka Care: Founded by tech enthusiasts Vikalp Sahni and Deepak Tuli in December 2020, Eka Care is revolutionizing the digitization of health data in India. Thirty million individuals and over 5,000 doctors utilize the platform.
Healthray: Healthray stands out as the premier EHR tool for 2024, celebrated for its user-friendly interface and trusted by healthcare professionals. It is the preferred choice for over 500 hospitals in India, covering 12 specialities and processing 3 million prescriptions.
DrChrono: Based in the United States, DrChrono is a leading digital health technology company. It provides web- and cloud-based applications for both physicians and patients, alongside comprehensive software and billing services.
Source:
https://www.nrces.in/standards/ehr-standards-for-india#intro
