By Ann S. O’Malley, M.D., M.P.H.
The New England Journal of Medicine
March 23, 2011

Although EHRs laudably provide immediate access to patient data and electronic messaging functions, clinicians have been frustrated by the difficulty of using them to support care delivery and coordination. Transforming EHRs into effective clinical tools rather than a means of capturing information primarily for documentation and billing purposes will require progress on multiple fronts.

Continued research on clinical care processes, the design and use of HIT, and payment reform, as well as ongoing support for clinicians, will be key to the effective and meaningful use of HIT. Today’s EHRs do not sufficiently support aspects of care delivery that are vital to improving care and controlling costs.

http://healthpolicyandreform.nejm.org/?p=14007&query=TOC

Comment: 

By Don McCanne, MD

What is the current state of the development of health information technology (HIT) and electronic health records (EHRs)? Quoting from this NEJM article, “Today’s EHRs do not sufficiently support aspects of care delivery that are vital to improving care and controlling costs.”

We should continue with efforts to improve this technology, but, at this time, it is still too early to force universal adoption through government policies.

Tapping the Unmet Potential of Health Information Technology

By Ann S. O’Malley, M.D., M.P.H.
The New England Journal of Medicine
March 23, 2011

Although EHRs laudably provide immediate access to patient data and electronic messaging functions, clinicians have been frustrated by the difficulty of using them to support care delivery and coordination. Transforming EHRs into effective clinical tools rather than a means of capturing information primarily for documentation and billing purposes will require progress on multiple fronts.

Continued research on clinical care processes, the design and use of HIT, and payment reform, as well as ongoing support for clinicians, will be key to the effective and meaningful use of HIT. Today’s EHRs do not sufficiently support aspects of care delivery that are vital to improving care and controlling costs.

http://healthpolicyandreform.nejm.org/?p=14007&query=TOC

What is the current state of the development of health information technology (HIT) and electronic health records (EHRs)? Quoting from this NEJM article, “Today’s EHRs do not sufficiently support aspects of care delivery that are vital to improving care and controlling costs.”

We should continue with efforts to improve this technology, but, at this time, it is still too early to force universal adoption through government policies.