The world is expected to generate up to 181 zettabytes of data by the end of 2025, with healthcare contributing up to 36% of that total. But up to 97% of that data goes unused, trapped in electronic health record (EHR) systems that don’t effectively use, organize, analyze, secure, share, or make accessible the valuable data contained within them. This results in compounding effects on efficiency, decision-making, burnout, and even reliability. For CIOs managing outdated EHRs that don’t meet the technological data needs of today, the stakes have never been higher. The pressure to improve financial and clinical performance is matched only by the challenge of modernizing systems without disrupting care. Yet, despite advances in artificial intelligence and System as a Service (SYaaS) models for EHR systems, long-held misconceptions about the risks, costs, and complexity of transitioning EHRs continue to stand in the way. Moving past these barriers means challenging yesterday’s assumptions and re-examining what’s possible with today’s EHR.
Myth: EHRs All Have High Hidden Costs
Costs are soaring across healthcare for everything from bed linens and lab equipment to staffing and IT operations and support. So, it’s no surprise that in a 2025 survey CliniComp conducted with CHIME, 19% of healthcare IT leaders named cost of AI implementation as a top concern. An EHR, whether combined with AI or not, is a substantial investment that often includes not only the initial costs for licensing, implementation, integration, but also lost productivity during the transition. Historically, concerns like these have made transitions and even upgrades seem risky or unpredictable. A 2022 survey found that small practices typically budget $1,200 per user for EHR systems, while large practices and enterprises budgeted $685 per user. Even with baseline estimates, the costs often multiplied to more than 10 times the first-year budget, demonstrating how traditional approaches have failed and why CIOs have believed EHR upgrades are too expensive.
Truth: SYaaS Models Deliver Whole Service Single Pricing
The market has changed and now offers solutions that address these challenges directly. A SYaaS system delivers all aspects of the EHR— software, hardware, training, support, data migration, ongoing optimization and maintenance— in one contract. A newer SYaaS model integrates directly with existing systems, connecting seamlessly to a hospital’s current infrastructure and can be implemented in months, not years, to quickly see the ROI. CIOs specifically value solutions that are cost-efficient, predictable, and scalable, avoiding the hidden pitfalls of past models.
SYaaS offers a sustainable path forward to a future where technology upgrades and new features— including embedded AI— arrive as part of the service, and not as separate projects with separate price tags.
Myth: Workflow Disruption and Downtime Are Inevitable
Downtime in healthcare impacts operational continuity, financial stability, and patient safety, making it a primary concern for healthcare CIOs considering an EHR transition. Just 10 years ago, 96% of hospitals were experiencing at least one EHR outage every three years, and in 70% of cases, that downtime lasted longer than eight hours, putting care and security in jeopardy. Prolonged downtime, in addition to complicated go-lives, and steep learning curves in EHR have left lasting scars across the entire industry.
This concern is amplified by that of provider burnout. CHIME respondents reported that at least 21% of their clinicians have experienced, or currently are experiencing, burnout from EHR use, and many more organizations are seeing higher rates. These widespread disruptions to work and care have made CIOs understandably cautious.
Truth: Modern EHR Models Eliminate Disruptions and Downtime
Significant disruptions demand a different approach. Modern EHRs, like SYaaS, address burnout and downtime with modern systems that have intuitive, customizable workflows, targeted training, and ongoing robust support systems.
Nearly 55% of CHIME respondents cited the burden of documentation as their organization’s biggest workflow challenge that could be solved by AI. While traditional, piecemeal EHR systems layer on the complexity, modern SYaaS models provide all the information in one place to best leverage AI to reduce screen time and present relevant patient data in real-time for actionable insights.
And today’s models go a step further, remaining online through upgrades and maintenance, and eliminating the planned downtime that once seemed inevitable.
Myth: Integration and Interoperability Remain Unsolved Problems
For decades, healthcare organizations have settled for EHR platforms that not only leave them hanging in downtime, but that also create unnecessary silos, force workarounds and “band-aids,” while requiring organizations to maintain and continue to pay for old systems “just in case.” The result is frustration for IT and care teams and missed opportunities to improve patient care.
Chief among current concerns for CIOs are interoperability and integration. In the CHIME survey, 26% of CIOs named increasing interoperability and data accessibility as a top priority for their AI strategy. Additionally, 32% said that AI-driven interoperability is extremely important for data sharing and care coordination in their organization.
Integration challenges remain a leading concern for 16% of healthcare CIOs, and the industry has demanded solutions that remove barriers rather than creating or compounding them.
Truth: Integration and Interoperability Are the Heart of the SYaaS EHR Model
Modern EHRs are built to solve interoperability and can easily integrate emerging technologies, while maintaining secure, reliable connections with existing clinical and financial tools. In other words: they’re plug-and-play, and easier for everyone to use. With built-in migration services, flexible APIs, and vendor partnerships focused on continuous improvement rather than one-time installs, SYaaS models have become the new gold standard for EHR in terms of interoperability and integration.
A Road Map to a Better EHR
Although new EHR models are busting the myths of the past, transitioning still requires careful attention to three fundamental best practices. First, establish clear governance and security protocols so that every new feature—especially AI— has proper safeguards. Second, insist on cost transparency that anticipates short and long-term needs and emphasizes partnership. Third, select systems designed for rapid implementation, continuous operation, integration and interoperability, ensuring value without disruption. Mostly importantly, engage clinical teams early and often to turn their feedback into lasting adoption, and ensure that EHR transformation becomes not just possible, but a powerful lever for progress.
As adoption of SYaaS models accelerates, one message is clear: yesterday’s myths no longer define the future of healthcare. By replacing outdated assumptions with proven solutions, today’s leaders can turn EHR replacement into a strategic advantage, unlocking new efficiencies, empowering clinicians, and driving better outcomes for patients and organizations alike.
About Kem Graham
Kem Graham, VP of Sales and Growth at CliniComp, is a vision-driven and strategic Senior Sales Executive with a demonstrated history of innovation, leadership and results. Sales, marketing, and business development leader in healthcare, technology and education with a demonstrated track record of driving change and representing company mission with external audiences, business leaders, legislators and administrative policy makers at the local, state and federal levels. A breadth of professional experience which includes entrepreneurship, enterprise-level sales, philanthropy, administrative leadership and business development in both start-up and established corporate environments.
