Health apps, wearables and the potential for EHR integration

With the rising popularity of health and medical apps for smartphones and wearable health technology, such as fitness tracking devices and medical-grade monitors, many professionals are exploring the potential for integrating this data into their EHR systems.

Wearable health technology can collect data on fitness, heart rate, sleep, and other critical health metrics, offering potential benefits to healthcare providers and patients alike. However, while these devices offer exciting opportunities for patient engagement and health monitoring, significant considerations around data accuracy, regulatory issues, and patient compliance remain. Let's explore these opportunities and challenges, evaluating whether wearables are ready for EHR integration.

The current state of wearable technology in healthcare

Wearable devices have evolved from simple fitness trackers to sophisticated tools that collect clinically valuable data. Examples of wearable technology in healthcare include:

• Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs): These devices help diabetes patients track glucose levels in real-time, enabling more accurate insulin management and lifestyle adjustments.
• Heart rate monitors and smartwatches: Devices like the Apple and Samsung Galaxy watches offer features such as ECG monitoring, which can alert users to irregular heart rhythms, aiding in the early detection of cardiovascular issues.
• Biosensors: Wearable biosensors track a range of metrics, including respiratory rate, body temperature, and blood oxygen levels, useful for both at-risk patients and those managing chronic conditions.

These devices demonstrate how wearable technology in healthcare is becoming a valuable tool for patient monitoring and preventive care. However, integrating this data into EHR systems presents unique challenges and potential benefits, which we’ll explore further.

The benefits of wearable health devices in healthcare

• Enhancing patient engagement and motivation: Wearable health devices, such as fitness trackers, empower patients to actively participate in their healthcare journey. By providing real-time feedback on physical activity, heart rate, and other metrics, wearables encourage patients to meet health goals, improve lifestyle habits, and stay motivated. Additionally, when patients see tangible results, such as improvements in daily step counts or resting heart rate, they often feel a sense of accomplishment, reinforcing healthy behaviors.
• Improved health monitoring: For healthcare providers, wearable health monitors can offer continuous data on patients' vital signs, enhancing remote monitoring and helping to inform treatment plans. By tracking data such as blood pressure, sleep quality, and glucose levels, wearables provide a comprehensive view of patient health that can help diagnose issues early. This continuous monitoring can be particularly beneficial for patients with chronic conditions, where early intervention can prevent complications.

Challenges and considerations for EHR integration with wearable technology

• Data reliability and accuracy issues: While wearable health technology provides valuable data, its reliability can vary. Simple devices, like fitness trackers, may inaccurately count steps or mistake other movements for physical activity. As an example, a good friend of mine accumulated several hundred “steps” on her wearable device every time she blow-dried her hair. Similarly, when pushing her child in a stroller for one mile, she had no credit for her walk, as the arm was stationary pushing the stroller. Similarly, medical-grade wearables, such as continuous glucose monitors, have improved accuracy but still require calibration and careful usage; inconsistencies can lead to inaccurate data, which could skew patient records if integrated into an EHR system.
• Privacy and security concerns: Privacy remains a paramount concern when discussing wearable health technology. The data generated by wearables must be securely stored, transmitted, and compliant with healthcare privacy regulations such as HIPAA. Integrating wearables with EHR systems could increase the risk of unauthorized data access, making stringent data protection measures essential. Ensuring data security is vital, especially as wearables become more widely adopted in healthcare settings.

Recommended reading: find mobile EHRs to suit your practice needs using our completely up-to-date EHR vendor directory

The impact of wearable health devices on patient care and outcomes

Wearable health technology shows significant potential in preventive care by identifying health patterns that may indicate early disease symptoms. For instance, wearables can monitor irregular heart rhythms, alerting users to seek medical evaluation. Similarly, continuous monitoring of glucose levels can help pre-diabetic patients take early action, reducing the likelihood of disease progression. The impact of wearable technology in healthcare lies in its ability to facilitate early diagnosis, helping patients and providers address health issues before they worsen.

The future of wearable medical devices is promising, with advancements like artificial intelligence and data integration improving their value in healthcare. These developments could lead to seamless EHR integration, allowing healthcare providers to view and analyze patient data over time to make more personalized treatment decisions. For wearable technology to achieve its full potential in healthcare, further improvements in device accuracy, interoperability and data security will be crucial.

Practical use cases for integrating wearables with EHR systems

In settings such as physical therapy, remote monitoring, and post-surgical recovery, wearable devices could effectively complement traditional EHR data. For instance, in physical therapy, wearables might track movement and exercise compliance, providing therapists with valuable data for customizing rehabilitation programs. This integration has the potential to streamline workflows, improve care quality and enhance patient satisfaction.

Non-exercise-based medical apps also have their place as an adjunct to medical care. For example, a post-surgical app may help remind a patient when to perform their therapeutic exercises, use ice, or take their pain medication. Additionally, a diabetes-specific app linked to their CGM could be used as a means to record blood sugars and insulin dosing.