Clinical digitization is no longer “an IT project”; it’s a strategic lever of
competitiveness. The global Electronic Health Records (EHR) market keeps
expanding, and that momentum is already visible across Latin America—with direct
implications for margins, patient experience, and operational resilience in the
private sector.
1) The EHR market keeps rising (and the cloud is the accelerator)
Globally, the EHR market was estimated at USD 33.4 billion in 2024, with growth
projected through 2030 at a ~4.5% CAGR—powered by pro-interoperability policy
and broader health IT adoption. (Grand View Research)
Other projections place 2024 at USD 31.0 billion with a ~5.2% CAGR to 2032,
pointing to steady, sustained expansion. (fortunebusinessinsights.com)
In Latin America, the latest data show two clear signals:
- The hospital EHR segment reached USD 605.5 million (2023) and is
expected to grow at ~4.6% CAGR (2024–2030), with the cloud leading both
share and growth. (Grand View Research) - Vistas más amplias del mercado EHR regional estiman USD 2.40 mil millones (2024) con CAGR ~5.1% hasta 2032 (alcance incluye ámbitos no estrictamente hospitalarios). ( Market Data Forecast )
What this means for private hospitals: cloud shifts CAPEX → OPEX, shortens
time-to-value, and enables modular scalability for mid-size clinics and hospitals.
2) Regional demand rebounded after the pandemic
EHR purchasing in LATAM dropped early in the pandemic, then rebounded in
2023 (beds affected by purchasing decisions +62% vs. 2021), with vendors gaining
share thanks to execution and local support. (KLAS Research, KLAS Research)
At the same time, digital transformation is a policy priority (PAHO/WHO), with
action lines and tools (IS4H) pushing for robust information systems to drive clinical
and managerial decisions. (Iris PAHO, Organización Panamericana de Salud)
Implication: there is policy “tailwind” to standardize data, interoperate, and
measure clinical/operational outcomes.
3) Why private hospitals should care
a) Payment context and margins. LATAM has high out-of-pocket (OOP)
spending, pressuring private providers to differentiate on experience, timeliness,
and transparent billing. (OECD, McKinsey & Company, J.P. Morgan Private Bank)
b) Interoperability and growth. Integration with labs, imaging, and payers
enables new services (telemedicine, ambulatory surgery, medical tourism) and
prevents costly duplication. (Grand View Research)
c) Cybersecurity and continuity. Digitization demands resilience: RTO/RPO
planning, end-to-end encryption, and endpoint monitoring. (AHA/ASPR guidance
recommended for deeper reading.)
4) Where’s the ROI? Four quick levers
1. Revenue capture & RCM. Patient portal + digital payments + integrated
eligibility/prior auth → fewer no-shows and faster cash. (Recent studies
show millions fewer missed visits among portal users in 2024.)
(fortunebusinessinsights.com)
2. Operational efficiency. Near-real-time dashboards for LOS, occupancy,
OR and ED throughput → higher flow with safety. (Grand View Research)
3. Interoperability that saves. HIE/FHIR exchange reduces duplicate
imaging/lab and frees margin in complex episodes. (Grand View Research)
4. Clinical & business analytics. The market grows because decision-
makers want operational intelligence and compliance from the EHR—not
just data capture. (Grand View Research, fortunebusinessinsights.com)
5) How to choose (and not regret it in 18 months)
- Cloud-first, modular always. Phase by module, with sub-90-day time-to-
value. (Grand View Research) - Proven interoperability. HL7/FHIR with tested connectors (lab, imaging,
ERP) and exchange KPIs (latency, completeness, error rate). (Grand View
Research) - Measurement from day one. Set baselines and targets for no-shows,
DSO, LOS, occupancy, % e-orders, med reconciliation. (Organización
Panamericana de Salud, Iris PAHO) - Support & governance. Cohort-based training and a clinical–IT committee for sustained adoption.
Conclusion
EHR market growth isn’t a distant statistic; it defines the new competitiveness
bar for private hospitals in LATAM. The combination of cloud, measurable
interoperability, and actionable analytics lets you capture revenue faster,
operate more efficiently, and sustain a superior patient experience in high-OOP
environments. Hospitals that invest wisely (modules, KPIs, and support) turn their
EHR into a clinical and economic advantage, not just a repository.
Want to see how this translates to your reality?
Book an executive demo of HarmoniMD, or let’s talk about your project to map a
modular path focused on outcomes and business KPIs.
