Hospitals Expect ePA Implementation to Begin Next Year

The rollout of the electronic patient record (ePA) in Germany is anticipated to commence next year, according to recent statements from healthcare leaders.

Gerald Gaß, the Chairman of the German Hospital Federation (DKG), emphasized the challenges associated with implementing the ePA, highlighting that it involves more than just a straightforward software update. He pointed out that the unique requirements of hospitals were not adequately addressed prior to the rollout.

Currently, only approximately 56% of hospitals have successfully updated their hospital information systems (KIS) to accommodate the new ePA. The updates have been gradually made available since mid-May 2025, following a pilot phase that focused primarily on select facilities from January to April.

The complexity of the ePA's introduction has become evident, as the technical deployment requires significant effort to tailor the systems to each hospital's intricate IT infrastructure.

According to a recent survey, while two-thirds of hospitals have initiated the deployment process, only about 20% are nearing the stage of internal piloting. Nearly 60% of institutions expect to implement the ePA hospital-wide no earlier than the first or second quarter of 2026. A mere 7% have begun piloting the ePA in their medical services.

Despite recognizing the potential advantages of the ePA--such as improved accessibility to medication data--many hospitals are struggling to stay on schedule. Gaß reiterated the importance of a smooth implementation phase to maintain patient trust during this significant transition.

He concluded by stating that while the ePA presents considerable benefits, the extensive timeframe required for such a major IT project must be respected to ensure successful integration and functionality across healthcare facilities.