EMR Adoption Barriers and What Next?

Despite the multitude of benefits to electronic record systems, the modernizing our nation’s healthcare system into a smoothly operating digital infrastructure remains a distant reality. A study from the New England Journal of Medicine recently reported ‘abysmally low’ adoption rates; researchers found fewer than 8% of hospitals use EHR in even one clinical department. So why does EHR adoption continue to follow the trajectory of a proverbial uphill battle?

Based on discussions with current and potential physician practices, Global MedData has identified the following as key barriers to adoption:

• High up front financial costs are a crucial concern and primary barrier to adoption with either slow or uncertain financial payoffs.
• Upfront costs could range from $12000 to $30000 per physician.
• Decreased revenue and disruption to practice; fewer patients during EMR transition period.
• Other underlying barriers include difficulties with new technology - multitude of screens, i.e. clunky templates and user interface options are overwhelming.
• Clinical management challenges due to operational changes and lack of solid support
• A high failure rate of EHR implementations; as many as 50-80 percent of adoptions are unsuccessful

These barriers are more pronounced in small to mid group practices, a substantial majority, in the US.

Global MedData is a proven reliable and qualified resource for assisting clinicians with successful EHR implementations. We work closely with you to identify your organization’s unique operational setting and develop a customized blue-print for transitioning to EHR. With your needs in mind, we take an organized and methodical approach to system development. The results are customized solutions that support existing workflow practices and ensure the integrity and security of the entire document management process.

"The key is to take small customized steps toward adoption by starting with your needs based assessment. Physicians need to work with organizations who are on top of EHR compliance mandates from the government and those who will help design a roadmap and system tailored to their needs. GMD facilitates successful EHR adoptions through sequencing and prioritization, role and process redesign, training, knowledge transfer, and the right overall governance," says Ravi Narayanan, CSO of GMD.

Global MedData, Inc is a provider of digital transcription services and modular EHR to physician practices, clinics and hospitals in the U.S. and to the National Health Service facilities in the U.K.
For more information and a free trial email us at sales@globalmeddata.net

References:
http://govhealthit.com/articles/2009/03/25/ehr-adoption-abysmally-low-in-hospitals.aspx