Should health care providers care about the implementation of the electronic health record?
In a previous post (see July 29 with the title “Personal Health Record”) there are some disadvantages mentioned in digitizing the health medical record.
From the perspective of the health care provider, earlier reasons to avoid pushing for electronic health records (EHR) included:
- Cost – many records are still in paper format and will require much effort to digitize. Areas of concern included accuracy, privacy, secure storage, and backup storage.
- Time – “time is money” of course, and it will take a long time to digitize the large amount of paper records still existing in hospitals, labs, doctors’ offices, etc.
However “times are changing” such that the healthcare provider may chose the path toward electronic health records (EHR). Here are some advantages or incentives:
- In a news release dated July 13, 2010, Kathleen Sebelius (US Department of Health and Human Services) announced final rules to help improve Americans’ health, safety, and reduce costs through increased use of electronic health records.
- Processing insurance claims will be faster and more accurate.
- As much as $27 billion may be available from the Federal Government over the next 10 years toward implementation.
- HP of Palo Alto, CA announced on July 13, 2010 a new program supporting the quick adoption of EHR among hospitals and doctors.
Electronic Health Records (digital health medical records) can help control health costs if the disadvantages or negative issues are controlled or eliminated.