EHR Implementation Still Lagging
An article published in the New England Journal of Medicine notes that clinicians who have electronic health records (EHRs) systems note the benefits of the solution. Improvements associated with such include better care quality and delivery of treatment in a more timely manner.
This overwhelming support of adopters was documented by a survey completed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Over 2,750 clinicians participated in the survey. A report in the New York Times detailing the study findings notes that less than 20 percent of clinicians are using EHRs.
Among small physician offices with between one and three clinicians, less than nine percent have adopted EHRs. Importantly, over half the clinicians across the country work in such small practices. Alternatively, more than half the clinicians in large group practices with 50 or more clinicians have adopted EHR systems.
Many of these small groups have decided not to implement EHRs because of the costs associated with deployment. Data indicates that the primary factor limiting EHR adoption is the lack of financial incentive to do so and the expense associated with system deployment.
However, the federal government and patient safety advocacy groups note that EHR implementation is a key means to improve patient safety, as well as reduce ever increasing costs for healthcare. It also improves the quality of care delivered.
Current recommendations to improve the rate of adoption suggest that the federal government should provide either subsidies or incentives. This recommendation was made in light of the benefits gained by payors from such systems, rather than the clinicians who utilize such.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently commenced a project that will provide clinicians with incentives for adopting EHR systems. That program will reward smaller physician practices for EHR deployment.
June 23, 2008 Related topics: Trends, Quality, Safety, Errors, IT & software, Cost savings