Electronic Health Records

Electronic Health Records has aroused excitement for decades, offering the promise of using technology to make radical changes in the way healthcare is delivered. Healthcare delivery organizations (HDOs), healthcare payers and governments face a set of crises, including the rapidly growing cost of healthcare, its inconsistent quality, and its unequal distribution and accessibility. While there is agreement that Electronic Health Records will contribute to alleviating these crises, much action will be needed to convert the potential of Electronic Health Records into a repeatable activity with demonstrable value.
To help healthcare stakeholders to sort through the applications and use cases of Electronic Health Records, and to make better decisions when considering their involvement in Electronic Health Records……..

During the past year, there have been two general trends. First, the excitement around Electronic Health Records has intensified, spawning a new term "E-Health"; however, the actual adoption of electronic health applications has remained minimal. Second, several Electronic Health Records applications have emerged onto the market .
HDOs must view Electronic Health Records as a potential opportunity and must evaluate each Electronic Health Records application for its relevance to their core mission or business. They should stop piloting and start deploying Electronic Health Records applications when the effectiveness of care is comparable to, or better than, the alternative; when cost savings can be expected; or when there is a clear business need. They should remember that successful adoption of Electronic Health Records applications often requires significant changes in care delivery practices and cultures, and they must plan for how to engineer these changes. Government agencies responsible for healthcare delivery should encourage the use of Electronic Health Records where appropriate; they must address the legal and regulatory obstacles to its... [continues]

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