EHR Vendor Cerner Announces Key Trends to Close Out 2021

Creating person-centric network strategies, advancing patient access and experience, and prioritizing efficient operational decisions are key trends rounding out the final months of 2021, according to EHR vendor Cerner.

The vendor has constructed a list of trends that will likely be the center of Cerner Health Conference discussions, as well as focal points for the rest of the year.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of developing strategies that center around the person and the community. Healthcare organizations are using data and insights to create person-centric network strategies that focus on addressing mental health, constructing social determinants of health initiatives, and furthering value-based care models.

Using data and analytics can not only unite all healthcare stakeholders, but it can also assist in creating and distributing treatments and therapies at a faster rate, Cerner indicated.

The industry can also expect health systems to expand their EHR capabilities in order to meet the demands for virtual care, Cerner asserted. Using application programming interface (API), health systems can improve patient access to health data and boost patient-provider communication.

Health systems may also increase patient satisfaction by prioritizing personalized communication. Organizations can help address individual patient needs by using tools such as patient portals and targeted outreach campaigns. These technologies can benefit the patient as well as the organization, Cerner noted.

Additionally, healthcare leaders will focus on operational efficiency as 2021 nears its end, according to the EHR vendor. Many health systems are facing clinician burnout, understaffed facilities, limited hospital capacity, and financial challenges as the pandemic continues.

“Centralized operations and near real-time situational awareness are critical for supporting clinician wellness, optimizing resources, mitigating risks and improving patient outcomes,” Cerner wrote.

Healthcare organizations can use data and analytics to help make efficient operational decisions and ensure overall success.

Health systems are continuing to prioritize cybersecurity in their operational frameworks, Cerner continued. Good cybersecurity can protect patients and clinicians alike while ensuring that organizations meet compliance and regulatory guidelines.

Health systems can partner with other healthcare organizations, hire cybersecurity consultants, and utilize free cybersecurity resources to ensure digital protection.

Overcoming challenges when it comes to interoperability will remain at the forefront of health systems’ priorities. The April 2021 information blocking regulation was a step toward securing data but organizations still face barriers.

“The industry is focused on enhancing data usability, keeping patients within network and getting the right data to the right place when it’s needed,” Cerner wrote.

The EHR vendor is combining regulations and technology to improve data exchange between patients and their providers. Cerner recently partnered with Apple, allowing patients to automatically send data from their Health app to their physician. This may improve patient-provider communication and help tackle clinician burden.

Lastly, the healthcare industry will address the clinician experience and work to improve clinician excellence and efficiency. EHR integration can help increase workforce capability and address the causes of clinician burnout, Cerner stated.

According to the EHR vendor, healthcare organizations must ensure that their staff can reliably perform in a personalized, convenient, data-enabled environment and prioritize best practices and intelligence while delivering care.

The healthcare industry will continue to focus on improving patient satisfaction and clinician experience by leveraging innovative data and technology strategies during the last few months of 2021, Cerner concluded.