An electronic health record (EHR) is a digital compilation of a patient’s medical history, continuously updated by healthcare professionals over time. Although EHR software can often be complex and challenging for clinicians to navigate, it has become a vital part of the modern U.S. healthcare system.
Oracle’s new EHR system leverages cloud technology and artificial intelligence to enhance usability and simplify setup, according to the company. Unlike traditional systems, it eliminates menus and drop-down screens, allowing doctors to retrieve information through voice commands. Oracle aims to reduce the time doctors spend navigating records, enabling them to focus more on patient care.
Seema Verma, executive vice president and general manager of Oracle Health and Life Sciences, described the system in an interview with CNBC, saying, “It’s more than just a scribe or an assistant—it’s like having your own resident.”
Oracle’s latest EHR offering aims to strengthen its position in the highly competitive market, where it has faced challenges in recent years. Oracle experienced loss on record in 2023. Meanwhile, its leading competitor, Epic Systems, was the only company to achieve a net increase in acute care market share during the same period.
According to Verma, the new EHR was developed independently and is not built on Cerner’s existing infrastructure, despite being initiated after Oracle’s acquisition of Cerner. As a result, current Cerner customers will need to decide whether to transition to the separate system.
Suhas Uliyar, Oracle’s senior vice president for product management in clinical and healthcare AI, provided CNBC with a virtual demonstration of the new EHR. During the demo, he illustrated how the system could help a doctor prepare for a busy day by reviewing patient information, responding to messages, and managing prescriptions efficiently.
The EHR operates through a browser-based interface, offering a clean and simple design. Upon opening it, physicians are greeted with a search bar and a chronological list of their appointments. By clicking the microphone icon in the search bar, doctors can ask questions such as, “What are my openings for today?” or “How many new patients are on my schedule today? AI-response can be generated within seconds.
When a doctor selects a patient, their chart opens, providing AI-generated summaries alongside detailed insights into their medical history. The chart highlights updates since the last visit, such as new medications, lab results, clinical documentation, past treatments, risk factors, allergies, messages, and vital signs.
Physicians can also use the microphone to ask patient-specific questions, such as, “Has she ever reported panic attacks or shortness of breath?” or “Has he undergone a CT screening for lung cancer, and are his vaccinations current?” They can also inquire about treatments, like “Which antibiotics were used for her urinary tract infection?” “It searches through the entire history and all the records to provide a precise answer,” explained Uliyar.
The voice-activated queries can be sequential, building upon previous questions, while the EHR’s AI learns the doctor’s preferences, such as frequently prescribed or refilled medications. Even when Uliyar misspoke or phrased a question imperfectly, the system accurately retrieved the relevant information he needed. As Oracle continues to develop its new EHR, the company has also been introducing features to enhance the experience for existing Cerner customers. Uliyar noted that many of these features, such as the Oracle Health Clinical AI Agent (previously known as Oracle Clinical Digital Assistant), are already integrated into the new system.
The Clinical AI Agent, which Oracle made generally available in June, is designed to automate much of the documentation burden on doctors. Physicians can use the app on their phone to record patient visits with the press of a button. After they stop recording, Oracle’s AI generates a clinical note based on the appointment, eliminating the need for doctors to manually write it.
Oracle’s early adopter program for the new EHR is set to begin next year, with the company collaborating with customers to determine their specific customization needs. As Oracle transitions its healthcare clients to the cloud, Verma believes this will simplify the EHR implementation process.
