Rapid EHR development and implementation using web and cloud-based architecture in a large home health and hospice...

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Healthcare Technology
• Software Engineering

Background:

• Major electronic health record (EHR) vendors utilize outdated systems, hindering technological advancement.
• Upgrading legacy EHR systems is challenging due to large client bases, costs, and risks.
• The healthcare market has seen limited vendor options for decades.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document the decade-long process of a home health provider seeking an EHR solution.
• To explore the development and implementation of a new EHR system using modern technologies.
• To assess the potential for new vendors to disrupt the established EHR market.

Main Methods:

• A national home health provider undertook a ten-year EHR selection and development process.
• The provider partnered with a startup specializing in web and cloud-based architecture.
• A new point-of-care system was built, tested, and implemented across 264 locations.

Main Results:

• The partnership resulted in a functional, cloud-based EHR system implemented nationwide.
• The new system was deployed across 264 home health locations in 40 states.
• The project highlights the feasibility of developing next-generation EHRs with modern technology.

Conclusions:

• Starting over with new web and cloud technologies can create effective EHR solutions.
• Nimble, new vendors leveraging modern technology can emerge as significant market players.
• This approach offers a potential "iPhone moment" for the next generation of EHR systems in healthcare.