What's Happening?
According to a 2026 KLAS Research report, ambulatory practices are increasingly opting for comprehensive electronic health record (EHR) and practice management suites provided by Epic and athenahealth. These integrated solutions are favored over traditional 'best-of-breed' stacks due to their ability to reduce complexity and improve data flow. Epic and athenahealth have emerged as market leaders, offering cohesive packages that support both clinical and operational needs. Despite this trend towards consolidation, many practices still rely on third-party tools for specific technologies such as patient engagement and ambient speech, indicating areas where core vendors need improvement.
Why It's Important?
The shift towards integrated EHR solutions reflects a broader
trend in healthcare towards simplification and efficiency. By consolidating clinical and financial workflows under a single vendor, practices can reduce manual workarounds and improve patient data visibility. This move is expected to enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs associated with managing multiple systems. For healthcare providers, adopting a unified platform can lead to better patient outcomes and streamlined operations. However, the continued reliance on third-party tools highlights ongoing challenges in achieving a fully integrated healthcare IT environment.
Beyond the Headlines
The preference for integrated EHR solutions underscores the importance of interoperability and seamless data exchange in healthcare. As practices move towards these comprehensive systems, there is a growing need for vendors to address gaps in consumer-facing and AI technologies. The reliance on third-party tools for patient engagement and other emerging technologies suggests that innovation in these areas remains a priority. This trend may drive further collaboration between EHR vendors and tech startups, fostering advancements in healthcare IT that could transform patient care and operational efficiency.
