The article highlights the potential benefits of adopting health information technology. Published in 2005 it shows the begin of implementation of electronic medical record system, noting possible benefits for the entire health system in the United States of America, to facilities, physicians, and health care services seekers. The article identifies the challenges facing the United States healthcare system stating that it is arguably one of the biggest, and is facing inefficient information setting (Hillestad, Bigelow, Bower, Girosi, Meili et al., 2005). Adopting an electronic medical records system would therefore promote efficiency and in turn reduce on medical errors associated with the current system.
The authors obtained data mainly from the Healthcare Information and Management System Society – Dorenfest survey to estimate current adoption and potential benefits. They also conducted literature review on effects of health information technology. The findings indicated challenges in adoption due to cost, lack of technical knowledge, and infrastructure issues, but noted that this does not give a conclusive statement on the future as their model was for providing estimates and possibilities (Hillestad et al., 2005). The biggest hurdle seems to cost of adoption, estimated at $6.5 billion for hospitals per year or $98billion for 90% adoption by facilities, and $17.2 billion by physicians. In case you require a revision or another order, please contact utechwriters at gmail dot com.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
The identifiable benefits from the article included a possible $77 billion annual saving realized at 90% adoption nationally. Cumulative savings would be about $371 billion. The savings would be for inpatient and outpatient care. Other changes would include reduction in hospital stay, nurse administrative time, and higher efficiency in drug administration and use. Further, healthcare providers would have records to develop preventative care, and schedule check-ups as well as improve on illness management for chronic diseases.
The article shows that despite existing barriers to health information technology, benefits to adoption would outweigh the cost. Another article written after the Health Information Technologt for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009 shows such benefits (Menachemi, & Collum, 2011). The Act was to promote widespread electronic health records use. The targeted benefits include improved clinical outcomes in terms of quality and reduction of medical errors, financial and operational benefits, and social benefits including better research outcomes, improved population health, and reduced costs of seeking care.
In conclusion, the upfront cost of implementing electronic health records remains a viable challenge for facilities and physicians. Nonetheless, the expected benefits in medical, social, and economic outcomes will continue to promote higher adoption. More facilities have continued to adopt the electronic systems and this will continue as information technology becomes critical for many industries including health care.
References
Hillestad, R., Bigelow, J., Bower, A., Girosi, F., Meili, R., et al. (2005). Can Electronic Medical Records Systems transform health care? Potential health benefits, savings, and costs. Health Affairs, 24 (5): 1103-1117.
Menachemi, N. & Collum, T. H. (2011). Benefits and drawbacks of electronic health record systems. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, 4: 47-55. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3270933/
