Why you should offer the Electronic Patient Record (EPR) as a healthcare professional

While tools like online online booking or teleconsultation have already proven their worth in simplifying the patient journey, the Electronic Patient Record (EPR) has yet to win over Swiss patients. However, it offers significant benefits for both patients and healthcare professionals. In this article, learn why integrating the EPR is a game-changer for your practice and your patients, and how you can successfully implement it.

EPR in Switzerland: quick overview

The Electronic Patient Record is a collection of health information that can be shared among various healthcare professionals. It includes:

• The current medication list
• Hospital discharge reports after surgery
• Home care reports
• An updated vaccination record
• Known allergy indications
• Radiographic results

EPRs are mandatory for hospitals, medical practices, and physicians, among others. However, patients are not required to open an EPR.

As of August 2024, 71,972 people in Switzerland have adopted the EPR. While this figure may seem low, its growth has been exponential those last few months. For comparison, in August 2023, only 25,436 EPRs were open! This trend suggests the EPR is gaining popularity and is being increasingly requested by Swiss patients.

Benefits of EPR for Healthcare Professionals

Save time and gain administrative efficiency

The EPR allows you to access essential patient information instantly and effortlessly, eliminating the need for cumbersome paper files. The result? Reduced administrative burden and more time to focus on providing high-quality care!

Improve the coordination among healthcare professionals

By sharing reports and medical histories, the EPR promotes collaboration among specialists. Everyone has access to the same up-to-date information, avoiding redundancies and minimizing errors. Additionally, this shared information enables faster action since there’s no need for colleagues to send you documents. You only need your patients’ consent to access their data.

Reduce your costs and potential errors

With the EPR, you reduce printing and the time spent searching for information. Centralizing data also lowers the risk of prescription or diagnostic errors, enhancing the quality of care and patient satisfaction.

Benefits of EPR for Patients

Patients, especially older ones, may hesitate to create an EPR despite its recognized security features. Additionally, navigating the process can seem daunting. That’s why it’s essential to discuss it with them and explain its various advantages. You can also guide them to articles dedicated to the EPR to provide further assistance.

Greater trust and transparency

The EPR allows patients to access their medical data with just a few clicks. This transparency fosters trust. Patients remain in control of their medical information and know exactly who they are sharing it with.

Improved communication

With easy access to their records, patients become active participants in their own care. They can review post-consultation instructions, share their data with another specialist, or ask targeted questions during their next visit.

All medical data in one place

With all medical information centralized, patients can maintain a comprehensive overview of their health. For families, parents can also easily monitor their children’s health history.

Accessible in emergencies

In emergencies, if a patient is unconscious or unable to communicate, the EPR enables emergency services to identify allergies, medications, or conditions that could impact treatment.

EPR: A future-oriented solution

With its rapid adoption in recent months, the Electronic Patient Record (EPR) is emerging as a solution that will be widely used in the future. Its numerous advantages, including simplifying the patient journey and enabling quicker care for you, make it a tool that aligns with the digital transformation of medical practices.

Sources

• Office fédéral de la santé publique OFSP – Le dossier électronique du patient en chiffres
• patientrecord.ch – EPR in a nutshell