As the healthcare landscape grows and changes, advanced technology systems have become fundamental to meeting today’s patient demands. Significant to this objective is the synchronization of electronic health records (EHR) with virtual care management (VCM) programs like remote patient monitoring (RPM), chronic care management (CCM), and principal care management (PCM). Integration of EHR with these systems fosters efficiency and the ability to scale virtual care management, enhancing the patient experience and quality of care.
Why is EHR Integration Important?
Connecting EHR data with other digital health platforms and software solutions allows providers to improve their processes and care standards. This fosters seamless access, sharing, and management across hospital systems, billing interfaces, telehealth platforms, and VCM programs, creating a comprehensive, unified repository for up-to-date patient information.
Overview of VCM Programs
For overseeing chronic conditions and facilitating ongoing patient care between visits, nothing compares to a well-run VCM program. Leveraging digital technology to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and expand access to care, virtual care management programs are designed specifically for these situations:
- Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM): Using digital, smart, and wearable health and wellness devices, RPM records, tracks, and monitors health and wellness data and transmits it from patient to healthcare team almost instantly, depending on the device and technology. Notable features include regular monitoring of vital signs, secure data transmission, and a proactive approach that promotes timely intervention.
- Chronic Care Management (CCM): According to the Centers for Disease Control, 6 in 10 Americans have at least one chronic illness, and 4 in 10 have two or more. CCM coordinates care for patients with multiple chronic diseases to help manage their conditions with a team-based approach and customized care plans. CCM is a less disruptive and more empowering method of care that offers enhanced communication, consistent monitoring, medication reminders, and follow-ups for ongoing support.
- Principal Care Management (PCM): PCM targets patients with a single chronic condition that requires ongoing care. It focuses specifically on the illness and offers regular telehealth visits. Along with the same benefits as the other programs, EHR integration facilitates seamless communication and informed decision-making in this scenario, as well as the other two.
The Importance of EHR Integration in Scaling VCM Programs
The demand for healthcare is projected to rise, particularly in CCM and behavioral health. To illustrate, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) predicts a shortage in behavioral health occupations by 2037, including 113,930 addiction counselors and 87,840 mental health counselors. The traditional healthcare model will be unable to support the volume of those needing ongoing care, highlighting the need for scalable solutions. An EHR-integrated RPM healthcare program is the best way to ensure successful scalability, particularly in the following areas:
Enhanced data accessibility: Thanks to EHR integration, which consolidates patient data from various sources into a single, unified record, providers can review information from multiple practitioners and remote monitoring devices in one place. Integrated systems paint a holistic picture of each patient, enabling informed decision-making and carefully coordinated care among numerous specialists. This is particularly valuable for those with complex health conditions.
- Streamlined workflows: EHR integration automates documentation processes and appointment scheduling, supporting providers by substantially reducing their administrative burden so they can focus on their patients. This optimization can lead to faster clinical assessment and improved resource allocation for better outcomes.
- Real-time data sharing and communication: EHR interconnectivity across healthcare platforms and channels facilitates instant access to patient health data, promoting proactive care and timely interventions, which decreases the risk of complications and hospitalizations. Additionally, this information exchange fosters enhanced communication among care teams and better collaboration that considers all aspects of an individualized care plan. For example, this can be especially helpful in evaluating the medications a patient is taking from multiple doctor prescriptions.
- Data-driven insights: EHR integration enables next-level patient monitoring and health analysis by tracking patient response to treatment and outcomes over time. Providers can assess the effectiveness of different treatment strategies and make adjustments based on their findings. The data EHR integration collects also provides insights into patient trends, patterns, and anomalies, proving invaluable on both an individual patient basis and improving predictive analytics across populations.
Common EHR Integration Challenges
Although EHR integration has many benefits, it is not without challenges. To implement a successful program, healthcare organizations must be prepared to meet and address the following obstacles.
- Interoperability issues: Different systems do not always talk to one another, and this lack of compatibility can pose a problem for data sharing. Solutions may require additional investment in standardized data formats or programs that bridge the gaps between the systems. Healthcare practices exploring EHR integration should prioritize interoperability features and vendor support services to minimize technical issues and ensure smooth adoption.
- Data security and compliance: The security of personal health information is of the utmost importance under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and for protection against cyber threats. Any system adjustments for EHR integration must include reinforced security measures such as blockchain technology with data encryption to comply with HIPAA regulations and undergo regular audits to minimize risk.
- Training and adoption complications: Introducing new systems can be difficult. Varied skill levels, insufficient training resources, and general resistance to change can contribute to a lack of staff proficiency. Training programs, including stakeholders in the decision-making process, and demonstrating how EHR integration can improve operations are some ways to ease the transition.
Continued advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) promise to enhance EHR capabilities and transform traditional healthcare. RPM programs with advanced technology and EHR integration stand to make healthcare more organized, effective, and available, allowing providers to increase patient volume, and improve outcomes without adding to their overhead.
To learn more about RPM devices and CCM through Nsight, click HERE to schedule a demo today. Whether you are a patient or provider looking to learn more about RPM, we would love to hear from you.