EMRs and Patient Safety

Posted on December 19, 2007 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

Exploring the Shibboleths

Staff Writers

A new study by University of Alberta and the Canadian Health System suggests that while Electronic Medical Records [EMRs] might provide a patient safety boost, not much is known about the full benefits of this technology.  

Despite assumptions that EMRs improve clinical workflow and medical care quality, there’s little evidence-based research to document this outcome. 

It was also noted that there’s a definite cultural impact on health organizations when they adopt EMRs. And so, it seems there’s a need to go out and challenge some shibboleths and EMR assumptions a bit more. What are your experienced impressions?

Conclusion

What do you think? On face value, the study does more to document the unknown impact of EMRs, than it does known patient care outcomes. And so, your thoughts and comments on this Executive-Post are appreciated.

Related Information Sources:

Practice Management: http://www.springerpub.com/prod.aspx?prod_id=23759

Physician Financial Planning: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/0763745790

Medical Risk Management: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/9780763733421

Healthcare Organizations: www.HealthcareFinancials.com

Health Administration Terms: www.HealthDictionarySeries.com

Physician Advisors: www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.com

Speaker: If you need a moderator or speaker for an upcoming event, Dr. David E. Marcinko; MBA – Publisher-in-Chief of the Executive-Post – is available for seminar or speaking engagements. Contact: MarcinkoAdvisors@msn.com  or Bio: www.stpub.com/pubs/authors/MARCINKO.htm

Subscribe Now: Did you like this Executive-Post, or find it helpful, interesting and informative? Want to get the latest E-Ps delivered to your email box each morning? Just subscribe using the link below. You can unsubscribe at any time. Security is assured.

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Filed under: Information Technology | Tagged: | 1 Comment »

CMS to Purchase Software for Docs

Posted on December 11, 2007 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

Doctors to be Paid for EMR Adoption

Staff Reporters 

The CMS recently reported that it wants 1,200 small physician practices to participate in a new government pilot project that will give higher Medicare payments to doctors who adopt electronic medical records.

The agency has not determined how it will choose the practices or its incentive payments.  

The AMA emphasized the financial challenges health information technology poses for physician practices and noted that, while HIT will save money for the health care system, only 11 percent of the return on investment will go to the physicians who are expected to pay for it.

The AMA urged Congress to consider financial help, such as grants, loans, increased reimbursement for HIT use, as well as tax credits for doctors purchasing EMR technology.  

Is this fair? In what other industry does the government pay for IT investments; any thoughts?

Filed under: Information Technology | Tagged: | 2 Comments »