Electronic Health Records (EHRs) have evolved from digitized charts into core infrastructure that supports aspects of care coordination and patient-centered workflows. According to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), 96% of non-federal acute care hospitals had adopted certified EHR systems by 2021, up from 28% in 2011. This rapid adoption reflects the central role of EHRs in hospital operations and the growing expectation that they support more coordinated.
Beyond adoption rates, EHRs influence clinical practice through their capacity to enhance data accessibility, streamline workflows, and support evidence-based decision-making. These platforms have developed into clinical decision-support engines that help medical teams reduce errors, anticipate risks, and follow evidence-based best practices within the care delivery workflow.
Care Coordination: From Fragmented Systems to Unified Platforms
EHRs aim to improve care coordination by reducing information fragmentation and supporting more connected workflows across care teams.
Centralized Patient Records & Clinical Decision Support
Modern EHRs consolidate patient information such as demographics, history, labs, imaging, and medications, into point-of-care dashboards that make key data more accessible to clinicians. When interoperability is in place, records from multiple settings can be viewed within the same system.
Interdisciplinary Communication & Secure Messaging
Features such as secure messaging, shared task lists, and automated notifications within EHRs can improve communication among care team members across specialties and organizations. In primary care, studies suggest that well-designed EHR interfaces may support better coordination during handoffs, referrals, and chronic disease management.
Measurable Gains in Patient Care & Safety
EHR adoption has been associated with measurable improvements in patient safety, particularly through features like Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE). Studies show CPOE can reduce prescribing errors and support safer medication practices, though effectiveness depends on system design and implementation.
Interoperability: Current Barriers and Emerging Solutions
Even with widespread EHR adoption, achieving interoperability continues to be a challenge, as it depends on reliably sending, receiving, locating, and integrating patient data across diverse systems.
Current Challenges:
- Data Exchange Barriers: Many EHR systems are proprietary, which can create challenges in sharing data seamlessly between different vendor platforms, often requiring additional costs or custom integrations to achieve interoperability.
- Inconsistent Data Standards: Despite efforts, a lack of universal semantic standards can lead to data misinterpretation or loss during exchange.
- High Integration Costs: Developing and maintaining interfaces between systems can be prohibitive, especially for smaller organizations.
- Population Health Gaps: Hospitals report continued difficulties using population-health data effectively and addressing barriers to exchange with long-term care and behavioral health providers.
Policy Frameworks & Solutions:
Federal initiatives such as ONC’s FHIR® (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) standards and the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA) are designed to improve interoperability by standardizing data formats and establishing rules for secure exchange. These frameworks are intended to support the development of a nationwide health information network, though adoption is still in progress.
How EHRs Support Patient Access and Participation
EHRs now play a role in supporting patient access to health information and communication with care teams.
Patient Portals and Online Access
Patient portals integrated with EHRs allow patients to view their records, communicate securely with providers, request refills, schedule visits, and review results.
Direct access can increase transparency and may support more active patient participation. Studies of the ‘Open Notes’ initiative show that when patients can read their visit notes, many report improved understanding and recall of their treatment plans.
Telemedicine & Remote Care Integration
Some EHR systems incorporate telehealth and Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) tools, supporting virtual consultations and improved access for rural and underserved populations. When integrated effectively, these workflows allow secure documentation, billing, and continuity of care. During virtual visits, clinicians can reference available patient records within the EHR to inform decision-making.
Challenges & Opportunities in the Future of EHRs
While EHR adoption has advanced significantly, major challenges remain in achieving consistent, data-driven care. Interoperability continues to be one of the most critical barriers. According to a 2023 NCBI publication, while 70% of hospitals engaged in all four domains of interoperable exchange, sending, receiving, finding, and integrating data, a smaller percentage were routinely involved in this practice. This disparity is particularly evident between different types of facilities; for instance, a 2023 analysis found that 53% of system-affiliated hospitals routinely engaged in all four domains of interoperable exchange, compared to just 22% of independent hospitals.
Persistent Interoperability Gaps
Interoperability is essential for coordinated care. Today, fragmented data exchange creates burdens for providers, often leading to redundant tests and delays in care. Incomplete records can be especially risky in emergencies, when clinicians may lack critical information such as allergies or prior diagnoses.
This lack of access to complete information can also cause critical care delays, especially in emergencies, as a provider may not have immediate access to a patient’s full history, allergies, or prior diagnoses. These inefficiencies not only waste valuable resources and time but can also compromise patient safety.
Data Security and Privacy Concerns
Although patients expect their health records to be protected, concerns about digital privacy and data sharing persist. Safeguards such as strong encryption, multi-factor authentication, audit trails, and transparent consent processes remain essential to maintaining trust.
Addressing Inclusion for Smaller and Rural Hospitals
Due to budget constraints, limited IT staff, and inadequate broadband access, lower-resourced facilities often face disproportionate challenges in EHR implementation, interoperability, and cybersecurity. Opportunities lie in developing tailored, affordable, and user-friendly EHR solutions, targeted funding models, and technical assistance to ensure equitable access to advanced health IT.
DrKumo: Seamlessly Integrating EHRs for Advanced Care Coordination
EHRs have evolved from basic digital record systems into core infrastructure for supporting aspects of care coordination. DrKumo Digital Health Solutions builds on this foundation by integrating real-time RPM data and analytics with EHR workflows, designed to support improvements in patient care and operational efficiency.
Through its EHR integration capabilities, DrKumo enables providers to access consolidated patient information at the point of care. This supports clinical decision-making and communication across care teams.
DrKumo solutions integrate real-time RPM data and AI-driven insights into existing EHR systems. This approach is designed to support proactive interventions, assist in managing chronic conditions, and enhance patient engagement through secure, user-friendly platforms.
DrKumo addresses common interoperability and data security challenges, helping organizations strengthen care coordination while protecting patient information. For more information, see DrKumo’s quick video guide: “What is Chronic Care Management (CCM)”
Takeaways
The modern EHR has become core infrastructure in healthcare, moving beyond basic record storage to support information exchange and more connected workflows. These systems help care teams access more comprehensive and timely patient data, supporting collaboration and reducing risks associated with incomplete records. Looking forward, improving interoperability and ensuring equitable access remain critical to enabling EHRs to better support coordinated, patient-centered care.
Ready to unlock the full promise of your EHR system? Discover how DrKumo can help your organization overcome interoperability challenges and achieve seamless, patient-centered care. Contact us today to transform your digital health strategy.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional business, financial, or legal advice. Healthcare providers should conduct thorough due diligence and consult with IT and legal professionals to determine the best EHR solutions for their specific practice needs and goals.
