- The Future of EMR / EHR
Over recent years the aproximately 31,000 HIMSS attendees the mood has been decidedly upbeat. Tempering this enthusiasm were comments by high profile players such as Glen Tullman CEO of Allscripts calling what is happening in Health Care IT “the single fastest transformation of an industry in the history of the US”. David Hamilton, SVP of Siemens Medical calls it “the wild wild West.”
Not only does the stimulus package create urgency, but the health claims transactions (HIPAA5010) changes and broad coding and procedures (ICD-10) mandates add complexities and create some degree of angst and confusion. "Whether the government or the open market dictates the pace of Healthcare IT change, the train is leaving the station."
What will be the drivers for EHR implementation? In my opinion it is the coming together of regulations and mandates, margin pressures caused by insurance companies and highly efficient competitors, and healthcare consumers starting to differentiate and demanding technology. As a case in point is the North Shore LIJ Health System which is planning to advertise to consumers that it is spending $400 million over five years in subsidies for providers in its system changing perceptions in the publics' mind.
Only a small but rapidly growing fraction of physicians in the U.S. fully use an electronic health record. But HITECH Act incentives, technological progress, and consumer demand are overcoming resistance. In fact, tens-of-thousands providers have registered for EHR incentives certain to be able to show Meaningful Use.
All this is a clear call to action especially for small multi-provider offices trying to navigate this tidal wave of change.
Computer Systems Support & Design, LLC based in Fairfield County helps medical provider offices get the most out of their IT infrastructure and supports them in implementing and maintaining their systems. We are vendor-neutral.
Want to learn more quickly? Call me on my Cellphone (203) 216-9902.
