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Sep 4, 2025·Healthcare IT News

Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital (ZSFG) faced challenges with high 30-day readmission rates among Black/African American patients, jeopardizing clinical outcomes and threatening $1.2 million in funding due to unmet readmission reduction targets. In response, the hospital implemented a pilot program focusing on heart failure (HF) readmissions, utilizing an evidence-based inpatient checklist and a dedicated "Heart Team" for coordinated care. However, initial reliance on paper-based systems limited effectiveness, prompting integration of a digital tool within the electronic health record (EHR) to harness predictive artificial intelligence (AI) for identifying high-risk patients and streamlining treatment. This evolution underscores the critical role of innovative health technology in improving patient outcomes and meeting regulatory standards in healthcare.

Sep 2, 2025·Healthcare IT News

Wickenburg Community Hospital in Arizona chose to optimize its existing electronic health record (EHR) system instead of pursuing a costly replacement, highlighting the importance of maximizing current technologies in rural healthcare settings. Under the leadership of clinic practice manager Teresa Weber, the hospital engaged in collaborative discussions with its EHR vendor, which improved communication and built trust, ultimately leading to enhanced system functionality. This initiative demonstrates a strategic approach to EHR management that can mitigate financial and operational disruptions while enabling small hospitals to leverage their existing investments. Healthcare professionals are encouraged to adopt similar optimization strategies, emphasizing manageable changes and regular feedback mechanisms to improve overall efficiency and effectiveness.

Aug 27, 2025·Becker's Hospital Review

Parkview Health has launched the Virtual Single Patient Record (VSPR), a cloud-based system that provides clinicians with access to essential patient information during electronic health record (EHR) downtimes. Developed in partnership with CareEvolution, the VSPR aggregates data such as medications, allergies, and lab results into an accessible format compatible with any internet-connected device. By enhancing security with two-factor authentication and presenting a comprehensive view of patient histories, the system ensures that clinicians maintain continuity of care even when primary EHRs are unavailable. This innovative approach addresses a critical gap in healthcare technology, underscoring the importance of reliable patient data access for effective clinical decision-making.

Aug 21, 2025·AMA

A recent AMA survey of nearly 18,000 physicians reveals that while clinical hours have decreased, the time spent on administrative tasks—especially related to electronic health records—remains substantial, often extending into personal time. In 2024, physicians reported an average workweek of 57.8 hours, with only 27.2 hours devoted to direct patient care. This administrative burden significantly contributes to physician burnout, which, despite a slight reduction, still affects many in the profession. These findings underscore the urgent need for healthcare organizations to address administrative inefficiencies to improve job satisfaction and reduce burnout among clinicians.

Aug 13, 2025·einpresswire.com

AvoMD has partnered with MEDITECH to integrate its AI-powered Scribe into the Expanse electronic health record system, enhancing clinical workflows, especially in rural and small hospitals. This integration provides real-time support for documentation and care recommendations while leveraging ambient listening technology to improve efficiency in capturing patient encounters. The AI Scribe also streamlines financial aspects by suggesting appropriate coding for reimbursement. Overall, this collaboration aims to significantly enhance documentation practices and patient care, positioning healthcare professionals to better manage their workflows and improve service delivery.

Aug 12, 2025·Healthcare IT News

A recent report from the Office of Inspector General (OIG) has raised concerns about the Veterans Health Administration's (VHA) management of patient medical records, particularly regarding community care appointments. The investigation disclosed that only 82% of nearly 3 million community care consults were linked to complete medical records, indicating significant gaps in data management. This deficiency can compromise care coordination, potentially leading to duplicated services, delayed care, and missed appointments for veterans. The findings underscore the urgent need for improved software controls and adherence to data retrieval protocols to ensure comprehensive and timely patient care within the VHA system.

Aug 5, 2025·MobiHealthNews

The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) has revised its Guidelines for Safe Electronic Communication of Medication Information to address ongoing challenges in health information technology. These updated guidelines focus on standardizing the presentation of medication information across electronic platforms to enhance patient safety, highlighting the importance of clear medication orders and the safe presentation of drug names. Key recommendations include the use of both generic and brand names, tall man lettering for look-alike medications, and the avoidance of confusing abbreviations. This updated guidance is crucial as healthcare professionals increasingly rely on digital systems for prescribing and medication management.

Jul 28, 2025·Becker's Hospital Review

As healthcare systems aim to enhance clinical workflows, optimizing Electronic Health Records (EHRs) has emerged as a critical focus. Leaders from seven major health systems emphasize the necessity for EHRs that support real-time decision-making while minimizing workflow interruptions, prioritizing technologies such as ambient listening and predictive analytics. These executives are increasingly evaluating EHR vendors on their integration of AI and care coordination capabilities to improve patient outcomes and alleviate clinician workloads. By adopting a platform-first approach, they advocate for systems that promote interoperability and can adapt to future healthcare advancements.

Jul 24, 2025·American Hospital Association

The American Hospital Association (AHA) and Epic are collaborating to enhance the detection and treatment of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), a leading cause of maternal deaths in the U.S., which notably affects many low-risk patients. By integrating advanced point-of-care tools into electronic health records (EHR), healthcare providers can improve the management of PPH through better risk assessment and clinical decision-making. This initiative, part of AHA’s Patient Safety Initiative, reflects a significant commitment to improving maternal health outcomes and aims to establish safer childbirth experiences for patients. As PPH accounts for a substantial portion of maternal mortality, leveraging technology in obstetric care could be pivotal in reducing these tragic outcomes.

Jul 23, 2025·VA News

Since the rollout of the Federal Electronic Health Record (EHR) system at Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in March 2024, there has been a remarkable 75 percent increase in lung cancer screenings among Veterans. The growth is largely due to the Comprehensive Adult Wellness Registry, which helps coordinators identify high-risk patients based on their tobacco use history and other EHR data, thus enhancing population health management. This proactive engagement strategy improves patient outcomes by automating the identification of eligible individuals, streamlining coordination of care, and ensuring timely follow-up on screening results. As healthcare technology continues to evolve, such systems highlight the importance of integrating data-driven approaches to enhance early detection and treatment of serious conditions like lung cancer.

Jul 10, 2025·Healthcare IT News

Recent survey data from the American Hospital Association reveals that acute care hospitals are increasingly automating public health reporting through electronic health records (EHRs), with 86% successfully automating immunization registry submissions. Despite this progress, many hospitals, particularly smaller and rural facilities, still rely on a mix of automated and manual reporting methods for optional data. Moreover, over 80% of hospitals have reported encountering ongoing challenges with electronic public health reporting, particularly regarding electronic case reporting and antimicrobial use. This highlights the need for targeted improvements in healthcare technology and regulatory support to enhance the efficiency of public health data submissions.

Jun 23, 2025·Healthcare IT News

Oracle has launched the Health Community Care mobile extension for its Health Foundation electronic health records (EHR) system in the U.S., aimed at enhancing access to patient data during in-home visits and mobile clinics, even without internet connectivity. This tool addresses the challenges of network reliability in remote care settings by allowing offline chart updates that sync once reconnected. With a user interface consistent with the existing EHR and additional features like mapping and direct communication with primary care providers, the app facilitates efficient patient management in home health and rural environments, reflecting a shift in healthcare delivery towards more decentralized models.

Jun 12, 2025·Digital Health

UPMC Ireland has announced the implementation of the MEDITECH Expanse electronic patient record (EPR) system to improve healthcare delivery across its facilities. The 10-year contract, finalized in April 2025, includes the deployment of the system at four hospitals, two cancer centers, and six sports medicine clinics, with implementation starting in the summer of 2025 and a planned go-live by the end of 2026. The unified platform aims to enhance patient care by streamlining processes and providing clinicians with necessary tools, while also improving patient engagement through a dedicated portal for accessing health information and managing appointments.

Jun 8, 2025·Healthcare Finance News

rules were implemented, Sparta Community Hospital had established a robust framework for capturing health-related social needs data, crucial for accountable care performance. Collaborating with various departments, the hospital enhanced its screening technology and processes for social determinants of health (SDOH), facilitating assessments for clinic patients via electronic health records (EHR). This transition from paper forms to electronic systems not only streamlined data collection but also integrated local resources into patient care, ultimately improving the hospital's ability to address patient social needs effectively.

Jun 5, 2025·OhioHealth

OhioHealth Southeastern Medical Center has launched a new electronic intensive care unit (eICU) program to improve patient monitoring within its ICU. The program, initiated on May 13, connects local medical teams to critical care specialists across the OhioHealth network, enabling continuous patient oversight through secure video, audio, and real-time monitoring of vital signs. This system aims to facilitate early detection of health changes, bolstering clinical decision-making and timely interventions. Wendy Elliott, the center's president, highlighted the program’s role in ensuring accessible, high-quality care in the community by providing around-the-clock expert support. The eICU complements the bedside team’s efforts, enhancing care coordination and early intervention opportunities.

Jun 3, 2025·Becker's Hospital Review

UPMC is launching the "UPMC Bridges Project" to consolidate its 40 hospitals and over 800 locations under a unified Epic electronic health record (EHR) system. This initiative aims to enhance patient care and operational efficiency by integrating various systems into one platform, focusing on teamwork and communication throughout the organization. The project will automate manual processes, enabling a shift in IT resources toward innovative applications, such as generative AI, which Carmody believes will improve healthcare delivery. As UPMC plans to initially implement the new EHR across 20 hospitals, it recognizes the importance of effectively managing the transition from legacy systems to keep all stakeholders, including patients, informed.

May 22, 2025·Access Newswire

A recent survey by Black Book Research reveals that 69% of U.S. nurses link their job dissatisfaction to poor usability of electronic health records (EHRs), with 80% preferring employers with "nurse-centered EHRs" designed to enhance workflow. The study, which included over 9,000 nurses and took place over eight months, emphasizes the significance of EHR experience, especially for nurses under 40, in job consideration. It also highlights the competitive advantage of user-friendly EHR systems for hospitals in recruitment and retention, as high turnover rates often correlate with difficult EHRs. In contrast, Magnet-designated hospitals report higher nurse satisfaction with their EHRs. Additionally, the challenges new nurses face with EHR systems are notable, with 88% indicating limited hands-on experience.

May 13, 2025·Newswire

The Q2 2025 Global EHR Market Report by Black Book Market Research reveals a notable trend where regional and multi-national EHR vendors are outperforming traditional U.S.-based companies like Epic Systems and Oracle Health. Feedback from over 11,000 healthcare professionals across 44 countries indicates that these newer vendors, including Dedalus and MV Sistemas, are achieving higher client satisfaction and better local market integration. This shift is influenced by rising nationalism and trade tensions, prompting countries to seek EHR solutions tailored to their specific needs, rather than defaulting to American software.

May 11, 2025·Becker's Hospital Review

As healthcare organizations modernize their IT systems, they face escalating costs. OhioHealth is investing $29.1 million to implement a unified Epic electronic health record system across its hospitals, including the recent addition of Southeastern Medical Center. Meanwhile, Northwell Health is initiating a $1.2 billion project to consolidate over 30 separate medical record systems into a single Epic platform, aimed at enhancing care coordination and operational efficiency. The first phase of Northwell’s rollout is already in progress, reflecting a significant shift in health information management.

May 7, 2025·AMA

A recent study in JAMA Network Open has found that many physicians, especially in primary care, struggle to fully disconnect from work during their paid time off (PTO), with a median of 16.1 minutes spent on electronic health record (EHR) tasks daily. Nearly 40% of physicians check their EHRs while on vacation, contributing to burnout and dissatisfaction due to concerns over clinical coverage and the volume of EHR messages. As a response, some healthcare organizations, like Baptist Health Medical Group, are piloting initiatives to manage EHR responsibilities for physicians on PTO, highlighting a need for strategies that alleviate administrative burdens and help physicians recharge effectively.