Majority of German Hospitals Expected to Miss Electronic Patient Record Deadline

The implementation of the electronic patient record (ePA) system is currently underway in Germany, but a significant number of hospitals are unlikely to meet the upcoming 2025 deadline. A recent survey conducted by the German Hospital Institute on behalf of the German Hospital Association reveals that only 56% of hospitals have completed the necessary updates to their hospital information systems (HIS) needed for the ePA.

Despite the fact that 98% of hospitals have made organizational preparations to populate the ePA, the majority anticipate that they will not be able to utilize the system throughout their facilities until at least the first or second quarter of 2026. Out of 382 hospitals surveyed, 62% reported that they could access ePA record systems, although some were only able to do so from test environments. The report highlights that 95% accessed the record systems from their HIS, while 13% utilized practice management systems.

As of now, approximately 650 out of 1,800 hospitals in Germany are actively using the ePA, according to the TI-Dashboard maintained by Gematik, the organization responsible for health care digitization. Following the initial rollout in model regions, essential updates are being gradually introduced in additional hospitals. From October, physicians will be required to populate the ePA, yet it is expected that many hospitals will not be prepared to comply by the deadline.

The German Hospital Association has emphasized that the technical implementation of the ePA is a labor-intensive process that cannot be executed uniformly across all facilities. Each hospital's unique and complex IT landscape necessitates extensive adjustments and configurations, including enhanced security measures and troubleshooting.

Additionally, the absence of adequate testing opportunities has contributed to delays in the rollout of necessary updates, which often require further adjustments during operational phases. Software developers have consistently raised concerns regarding the lack of sufficient testing environments. Initially, the specific needs of hospital workflows, particularly regarding the implementation of legally mandated objection options, were not adequately considered, leading to the current challenges. Solutions for these issues are now being developed and tested in real-world conditions.

Despite these hurdles, the hospitals recognize the advantages presented by the ePA and are actively working toward its implementation. However, early pilot phases have demonstrated that introducing the ePA in hospital settings involves more than just a straightforward software update. The chairman of the German Hospital Association noted that the requirements and challenges faced by hospitals differ significantly from those encountered in smaller facilities, such as medical practices.

Looking ahead, there is optimism about the successful implementation of this large-scale project, although patience will be necessary. The association hopes that the rollout phase will proceed smoothly to maintain patient trust in the system.