Healthcare on the Go: How Mobile EHRs are Outpacing Traditional Systems
Shaonli Dasgupta
Healthcare BA|Content Creator & Trainer| EHRs, mHealth, RCM, Health Analytics, Pop Health, NLP & Chatbots, FHIR & OpenEHR
The global?EHR app market, currently estimated at USD 783.22 million in 2023, is projected to experience a substantial growth at a CAGR of 8.87% from 2024 to 2030. This growth is primarily driven by the increasing demand for streamlined patient data access, regulatory mandates, and the rising adoption of telemedicine. ?[Https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/electronic-health-record-apps-market-report]
A study revealed that 62% of nursing staff at surveyed hospitals accessed EHRs on their mobile devices, with 57% using them for diagnostic lab results. This demonstrates the widespread adoption of mobile EHRs among healthcare professionals.
In the fast-paced world of healthcare, accessibility, and convenience are no longer just nice-to-haves—they are essential for delivering the best patient care. While traditional EHRs have done wonders for digitizing medical information, they often come with limitations that don't match the dynamic environment of healthcare settings. Mobile EHRs transform how clinicians work by offering the convenience and flexibility to manage patient information literally at their fingertips, empowering them to be more efficient and effective in their roles.
Picture the ability to review patient histories, update medical records, or even place orders on the go without being tied to a workstation. Mobile EHRs enable healthcare professionals to do just that. This mobility not only optimizes workflows but also enhances patient engagement, as providers can spend more time with those who need their care. It's about empowering healthcare teams to be more effective, responsive, and human-centered— all while using technology that meets the demands of today's healthcare landscape.
The Rise of Mobile EHRs- Why Mobile EHRs Are the Future of Healthcare
Hospitals have seen productivity gains by equipping key staff with mobile devices. In 2022, a Zebra study highlighted that 97% of nurses used mobile devices at the bedside, a trend expected to expand to other roles like ER nurses, pharmacists, and lab technicians. [https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/electronic-health-record-apps-market-report]
Mobile EHR applications are explicitly designed to leverage the power of mobile devices—such as smartphones, tablets, and other handheld gadgets—giving healthcare professionals the ability to access and manage patient health records from anywhere. Whether it's a doctor reviewing patient notes while walking between rooms or a nurse entering vital signs at the bedside, mobile EHRs provide a level of connectivity and immediacy that traditional systems can't match. This transformative technology is reshaping how healthcare professionals interact with patient data and deliver care, sparking excitement and optimism for the future of healthcare.
Optimizing EHRs means ensuring that information flows seamlessly throughout the patient care cycle and that critical decisions can be made in real-time without unnecessary delays. Mobile EHR solutions have brought a whole new level of convenience to healthcare, allowing data entry and access directly at the bedside or wherever care is being provided. This instant availability supports better decision-making and ensures that patient information is up-to-date and accessible when it matters most, giving healthcare professionals the confidence and security they need to provide the best care.
The Next Generation of Healthcare: Mobile EHR Features That Set New Standards
What truly sets Mobile EHRs apart from their traditional counterparts? These features, from enhanced mobility to seamless integration, are reshaping how healthcare professionals interact with patient data and deliver care.
Let's explore the key features that are setting a new standard for healthcare efficiency and patient care:
Instant Records Access
Mobile EHRs allow providers to quickly access patient demographic data and review diagnoses, vital signs, lab results, medical histories, and more without being tied to their desks.
On-the-Go Prescription Management
This feature in Mobile EHRs enables healthcare providers to track, manage, and approve refill requests and send prescriptions electronically from anywhere, saving time and ensuring faster medication for patients. Enabling electronic prescription of controlled substances (EPCS) on mobile devices provides clinicians with a?quick, convenient workflow?for prescribing controlled substances.
Expanded Telemedicine Access
Mobile EHR apps facilitate secure remote consultations, allowing providers to schedule appointments and launch virtual visits. This feature supports quick interactions between doctors and patients, ensuring comprehensive care delivery anytime, anywhere.
Offline Access and Syncing
Offline access and syncing features of mobile EHRs enable healthcare providers to view and update patient records even in areas with limited or no internet connectivity, maintaining a consistent workflow and automatically syncing updates to the central EHR system when they are back online.
Touch/Face ID Authentication
Biometric authentication methods like Touch ID and Face ID enhance security by using unique fingerprint or facial features to access patient information, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
Streamlined Clinical Documentation:
Mobile EHR apps make it easy for healthcare providers to enter orders quickly by offering ready-made templates. In addition, Clinicians can define shorthand macros that expand into frequently used phrases or full-order sets to skip repetitive typing. For example, typing ".diabetes" could develop into a full diabetes order panel.
Image and Document Upload
The direct upload of images and documents, such as test results, medical scans, consent forms, and referral letters, improves the organization and accessibility of patient records and facilitates information sharing and collaboration.
Integration with Wearable Devices
The mobile EHR can connect with wearable devices like fitness trackers and smartwatches to collect and send health data in real-time and provide more personalized care. Doctors can use this data to gain insight into a patient's health, track their progress, and take action early to prevent or manage health problems.
Voice Recognition and Dictation
Doctors can dictate notes using mobile EHRs during patient visits, ensuring all details are noted without extra time spent writing. This feature is especially beneficial for updating information and making changes on the go, improving efficiency while allowing greater focus on patient care.
Barcode Scanning
Mobile EHRs utilize the device's camera for barcode scanning, enabling quick and accurate medication administration and inventory management.
Push Notifications
Mobile EHRs send push notifications for important updates, lab results, or patient messages, ensuring timely communication.
Image Capture and Annotation
The ability to capture, annotate, and integrate images into patient records using the mobile device's camera enhances clinical documentation.
Geolocation Services
Mobile EHRs can utilize geolocation services to improve care coordination by tracking home health visits or locating the nearest healthcare facility.
Appointment Scheduling
Mobile EHRs streamline appointment management by enabling scheduling, rescheduling, or canceling appointments with automated push notifications.
Mobile EHR app for iOS
Stay Connected Anywhere: AdvancedMD's iOS EHR Solution
AdvancedMD's iOS mobile EHR app transforms healthcare delivery by putting the power of complete practice management in the hands of providers. Through secure cloud technology and real-time synchronization with AdvancedMD PM & EHR, this mobile solution ensures that healthcare providers can deliver focused patient care while staying connected to their practice anytime, anywhere.
The?AdvancedMD mobile EHR app for iOS offers a range of the following standout features:
EHR Charting Capabilities:
ePrescribing: The app allows healthcare providers to create, transmit, print, and electronically renew prescriptions directly from their mobile devices.
Comprehensive Patient Management: Providers can view and import patient history, manage allergies, lab orders, immunizations, and review lab results—all from their mobile devices.
Appointment Management: Clinicians can view and manage their schedules on the go.
Image Annotation Features: The app includes improved image annotation capabilities for patient notes and documents, enhancing documentation accuracy.
Mobile EHR app for Android
Secure Care on the Move: Epic's Haiku EHR for Android
Epic's Haiku EHR app for Android offers healthcare providers secure, instant access to patient records anytime, anywhere. With zero on-device storage and robust encryption, sensitive medical data remains protected while keeping providers connected wherever they go.
Some of the standout features of the Epic Android app include the following:
EHR Charting Capabilities:
Secure Messaging: Allows secure communication with patients and colleagues within the Epic ecosystem, adhering to HIPAA guidelines.
ePrescribing: Enables electronic prescription of medications directly from the mobile app, sending prescriptions to pharmacies electronically.
Integrated Speech-to-Text Functionality: Using voice recognition technology, clinicians can dictate notes directly into patient charts.
Appointment Scheduling: Provides access to the appointment scheduler, allowing clinicians to view and manage their schedules.
Real-Time Notifications: Clinicians receive real-time alerts about critical patient updates, such as lab results or changes in patient status, allowing for timely interventions.
The rise of mobile EHRs marks a significant leap forward in healthcare technology by enabling flexibility, efficiency, and connectivity to healthcare professionals. By embracing mobile technology, healthcare providers can enhance patient engagement, streamline workflows, and deliver better care. The ability to access real-time data anywhere fosters a more responsive and personalized approach to treatment. They empower providers to be more present, responsive, and focused on what truly matters: the well-being of their patients.
As we continue to navigate the evolving landscape of healthcare, it is clear that mobile EHRs not only meet the demands of modern patient care but also allow providers to focus on the well-being of their patients. As healthcare continues to evolve, embracing Mobile EHRs is not just about keeping up with technology; it's about transforming the patient care experience for the better today and in the future.
The shift from laptop to mobile EHRs isn't just a technological upgrade; it's a paradigm shift redefining the boundaries of where and how quality healthcare can be delivered.