Smart hospital: market value of electronic health records 2018-2026

Electronic health records (EHR) are expected to boost the market value of smart hospitals. In 2021, the global smart hospital market was valued at 35.9 billion U.S. dollars, from which 7.6 billion were linked to EHR and the consequent clinical workflow. According to future estimations, this market was forecast to increase in value and reach nearly 18 billion U.S. dollars in 2026.

The use of electronic health records in hospitals

EHR systems improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery and enable patients more autonomy in their treatment. In 2020, over 80 percent of surveyed European clinicians used electronic health records in their practice. According to the same survey, in countries such as the Netherlands or Denmark, nearly all practicians used EHRs. The implementation of these medical records plays a central role in the emergence of smart hospitals.

Data privacy and electronic health records

Although the global EHR market is projected to steadily increase in the future, EHR use still raises some issues. Indeed, an electronic health record encompasses private information on a patient that can be shared across a range of healthcare settings. Thus, it presents challenges in terms of access control to ensure data privacy and confidentiality. These risks need to be addressed through legal frameworks, optimal access controls, quality training, and standards shared across all EHR users.