Top 5 Topics That Defined Critical Care & Hospital IT in 2025

Looking back at 2025, discussions across critical care, hospital management, and IT communities consistently focused on how healthcare systems can become more connected, data-driven, and resilient. Throughout the year, industry conversations, policy developments, and expert analyses highlighted several recurring themes shaping hospital clinical and digital strategies.

Below are five of the most discussed topics from 2025, offering a snapshot of where healthcare technology is heading and what may continue to drive attention into 2026.

What you will learn

• Key themes from 2025 that will continue to shape healthcare IT
• Where hospitals focused their digital efforts 
• How AI, cloud, interoperability and cybersecurity featured in industry discussions
• Why mobile apps in critical care gained heightened attention

1. Interoperability stayed front and center

If one theme dominated in 2025, it was interoperability. Across both Europe and North America, the focus shifted from debating standards to implementing them. The European Health Data Space (EHDS), which aims to make patient data more accessible and usable across borders, entered into force in March 2025, marking the start of its implementation phase. At the same time, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) advanced new frameworks that emphasize standardized FHIR-based data exchange and patient-centric access.

Industry forums reflected a growing consensus that interoperability is now foundational rather than aspirational. Still, many called for stronger mandates to accelerate adoption, noting that without regulatory pressure, technical fragmentation will persist.

2. Responsible AI remained a work in progress

AI continued to figure highly in healthcare conversations in 2025, but the narrative has matured. Beyond enthusiasm for automation and predictive analytics, attention zeroed in on what is increasingly described as “responsible AI” – the effort to apply artificial intelligence in ways that are transparent, equitable, and clinically sound.

Mitigating bias, ensuring equity, and maintaining clinician oversight are now broadly recognized as essential to translating AI’s potential into safe, everyday use. Stakeholders across the industry acknowledged that without clear governance frameworks, AI’s potential could easily outpace its safety and accountability. While healthcare organizations have been testing tools to support diagnostics, monitoring, and care planning, the debate continued around how these systems can be validated and governed responsibly. The challenge now lies less in developing smarter algorithms and more in ensuring they operate within clear ethical and regulatory boundaries.

3. Cloud adoption and shifts towards FHIR drew attention

Across 2025, many hospitals took steps to modernize how their information systems are managed and connected. Cloud deployments drew increased interest as IT teams looked for ways to make infrastructure more scalable, resilient, and easier to maintain. The idea of shifting core clinical systems to the cloud no longer feels experimental and is increasingly viewed as part of the natural evolution toward flexible, service-based IT.

In parallel the growing use of HL7 FHIR interfaces is helping connect departmental systems and maintain data flow across platforms, making it easier to phase modernization projects without disrupting care. Deploying interoperable Patient Data Management Systems (PDMS) with open FHIR interfaces has emerged as a practical way to maintain progress during longer EPR transitions. It’s another sign that hospitals are taking a more strategic approach to building adaptable, future-ready systems.

4. Cyber resilience rose on leadership agendas

Unsurprisingly, cybersecurity stayed high on the healthcare agenda in 2025 as hospitals faced a growing number of threats and expanding digital footprints. Many organizations increased their security budgets and placed greater emphasis on resilience, ensuring they can recover quickly if systems are disrupted. The conversation also broadened beyond technical safeguards to include governance, staff readiness, and vendor accountability.

As AI tools become more integrated into clinical and administrative workflows, questions around data protection and responsible use have become part of the cybersecurity discussion. There’s growing recognition that resilience is not only about defending against attacks and protecting data but also about maintaining trust and safeguarding continuity of care.

5. Mobile apps drove talk on integration and usability

Mobile technology was a prime topic in 2025, particularly in critical care settings where efficiency and responsiveness are vital. There was clear interest in how mobile apps can extend the reach of clinical information systems and streamline communication at the bedside. Hospitals shared examples of mobile tools supporting real-time documentation, barcode medication scanning, voice-to-text note entry, and other capabilities that help clinicians be more efficient and more connected.

Another recurring theme around mobile apps was their integration. Hospitals emphasized the importance of mobile apps that work seamlessly with existing clinical systems and remain reliable even in low-connectivity environments. These discussions reflect a broader shift in mindset, from viewing mobile devices as convenience tools to seeing their value in supporting consistent, data-driven care. While implementation levels still vary, mobile apps continue to shape expectations for how and where care can be delivered within the hospital.

Key takeaways

In 2025, discussions in healthcare IT highlighted that:

• Interoperability gained real traction as hospitals began putting standards into practice.
• AI continues to be a major topic, with the focus shifting to safety, fairness, and trust.
• Hospitals are exploring cloud-based options and FHIR interfaces to update their IT foundations.
• Cyber resilience has moved higher on executive agendas, linking security with continuity of care.
• Mobile apps hold great promise for critical care workflows and clinician mobility.

Conclusion

The topics that dominated healthcare in 2025 reflect a shared direction toward smarter data use, stronger governance, and more cohesive systems, all leading to more connected care. Interoperability, responsible AI, cloud readiness, cybersecurity, and mobile-enabled care will remain intertwined as hospitals continue modernizing and digitizing their operations.

At iMDsoft, these discussions mirror what we hear from our partners and clients. Understanding where the industry’s focus is headed helps us continue developing solutions that support safer, more efficient, and interoperable care in critical care environments and across the hospital enterprise.

1. Reflections from DMEA 2025: Innovation and Collaboration in Healthcare

2. Data, AI, and Collaboration: Highlights from HLTH Europe 2025

3. Mobile Apps in Emergency & Critical Care: Boosting Efficiency and Care