The Promise And Pain Of EHRS

By Brian Albright, Field Technologies

EHRs have provided faster access to patient data and billing information, but workflow disruptions have prevented many providers from realizing efficiency and patient care benefits from the technology.

While the majority of hospitals and doctors — spurred by federal regulations and incentive programs — are now using EHRs, the software systems still present user interface, cost, and interoperability obstacles that are making it difficult for providers to experience the clinical benefits the technology has promised.

As of 2013, according to the ONC, 59 percent of hospitals had adopted an EHR system, a five-fold increase over 2008. Furthermore, the ONC reports that in 2013, eight in 10 physicians were using or planning to adopt an EHR, and 82 percent of EHR adopters were using a Meaningful Use (MU)-enabled solution. However, the majority of those physicians (62 percent) were primarily motivated by incentive payments rather than the software’s capabilities.