The EHR-EMR market in the Americas is geographically divided into two prominent regions: North America and South America. Within North America, the market is further segmented into the United States and Canada.
The Americas exert a significant influence over the global and US EHR-EMR market, a dominance attributed to several factors such as the concentration of key industry players and the presence of advanced healthcare infrastructure in the region. There is a notable uptick in the adoption of electronic health records (EHR) and electronic medical records (EMR) in the Americas. In 2015, as reported by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, approximately 64% of physicians in the region utilized an EHR equipped with the capability to securely exchange messages with patients.
The region's market growth is further propelled by various contributing factors, including technological advancements, the cost-effectiveness of EHR systems, the escalating utilization of cloud computing and web-based solutions, a growing aging population, an increasing demand for enhanced healthcare systems, a rise in the prevalence of chronic diseases, the consolidation of healthcare providers, and ongoing innovations leading to improved efficiency.
A noteworthy legislative initiative that has significantly impacted the EHR-EMR market is the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act. Enacted into law in February 2009 by former President Barack Obama, this legislation allocated up to USD 27 billion to expedite the adoption of health information technology, thereby directly contributing to the market's expansion.
The presence of major industry players such as Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc., Cerner Corporation, GE Healthcare, and Epic Systems Corporation plays a pivotal role in driving the market within North America. These companies continually engage in product development, fostering innovation and enhancing the region's overall market growth.
In summary, the Americas, particularly North America, holds a commanding position in the global and US EHR-EMR market. This is underpinned by a confluence of factors including technological advancements, supportive legislative measures like the HITECH Act, and the proactive involvement of key industry players, creating a conducive environment for sustained market growth.