In the Washington Times last week, Tevi Troy and Jason Fodeman, MD, wrote a commentary, "Electronic flash in pan: Computerized records' cost-cutting falls short," essentially bashing President Obama's push for computerizing patient records. Read »

Back in July, I wrote an article about developing a health IT workforce within the community college system that will be needed to help physician groups and healthcare systems implement EMRs and EHRs with the passage of the ARRA legislation. Read »

EHR adoption is inextricably tied to healthcare reform. Unless meaningful healthcare reform passes, even incentives and a recovering economy won't drive EHR adoption. This seems evident in the wake of remarks made by the CEO of the Medical Group Management Association at MGMA's annual conference this week. Read »

A recent Washington Times editorial, "Federalizing medical records," noted that the electronic health record is “not a cure-all” or a “panacea” and that "establishing an integrated national health information system isn't as easy or as beneficial as it sounds." Read »

While small physician practices evaluate a baffling array of software options, skirmish with dodgy vendors, and crunch the numbers on training, hardware, and consulting, not to mention the mysterious and looming criteria of "meaningful use", President Barack Obama continually points to Utah's Intermountain Healthcare as a model for reform. But does the hospital, located in sunny Salt Lake, really represent the future, or is its presidential status a result of mere statistical manipulation and political maneuvering? Read »

Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google, warned members at a Thursday meeting of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology that the Obama administration's health IT plan relies too heavily on outdated database technology. The current plan stifles innovation and encourages the use of proprietary, copyrighted databases that cannot easily duplicate or share information, according to Schmidt. Read »

You've purchased the software, installed the hardware, and booked the staff training. But before you cut the ribbon on that new EHR, you might want to ensure it's legal. One of the highly-touted benefits of EHRs is the potential to help reduce an estimated $5.8 billion in annual spending on malpractice claims. But if data-entry increases exponentially without the proper audits and reviews, interoperability could lead to inter-liability, and providers may find themselves victims of HIT negligence. Read »

Financial incentives to implement EHRs may finally nudge some paper-based hospitals and practices into the 21st century. But given the HITECH Act's short implementation timeline, those facilities that aren't even close to getting out of the paper game may be left in the dust. Too bad for them, I say. Read »