In today’s NHS, every second matters—from the moment a patient is admitted to the time they’re discharged. That’s why modern Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems like Cellma have become an essential part of care. Let’s take a look at how EHRs are making every step smoother, safer, and more connected across UK hospitals.
EHRs Are Now Nearly Everywhere
By 2025, 94% of NHS Acute Trusts had adopted an EHR system. This means most hospitals now have digital records that give doctors and nurses instant access to patient information. Hospitals caring for children and general patients are ahead of the curve, with 96–97% EHR adoption.
Quicker Decisions, Faster Care
Speed is crucial in healthcare. Thanks to EHRs, access to vital patient information is now 80–86% faster compared to old paper systems. With real-time updates on vitals and admissions, staff can act quicker—helping catch problems early and prevent complications.
Doctors also report saving an average of 5 hours per week on paperwork. That’s more time for patients and less time behind a screen.
Safety Comes First
EHRs don’t just make things quicker—they also make them safer. In hospitals using EHRs:
Medication errors have dropped by 48%
Diagnostic mistakes are down by 40%
Hospital-acquired infections have been cut by 20%
These improvements come from smarter tools that help clinicians make decisions faster and more accurately—like alerts, reminders, and built-in safety checks.
Better Communication, Smoother Discharge
Thanks to EHRs, hospital teams can communicate more clearly. Everyone from A&E to pharmacy can see the same records, in real time. This leads to:
30% fewer hospital readmissions
30% fewer duplicate tests
Auto-filled discharge summaries, helping GPs and community nurses pick up care smoothly
Patients also get to be more involved. Over 25% of the UK population now uses online patient portals each month to view discharge notes, test results, and book follow-ups.
Healthier Aftercare and Prevention
EHRs don’t just support treatment—they also help keep people well. After EHR rollout:
Preventive care adherence went up by 30%
Over 90% of NHS providers now use EHR-based population health tools
These tools help spot who might be at risk and ensure they get the care they need, when they need it—whether that’s a check-up, screening, or a follow-up call.
Final Thoughts
From admission to discharge (and even beyond), EHRs are transforming the way care is delivered in NHS hospitals. They cut down on paperwork, improve safety, and bring everyone—from staff to patients—onto the same page.
With almost all NHS hospitals now using them, EHRs are proving they’re not just a tech upgrade—they’re a game changer for patient care.
Sources
https://www.digitalhealth.net/2025/05/94-of-nhs-acute-trusts-have-an-epr-in-place-finds-report/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519065/
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