Physicians and administrators delivered a strong message to President Obama’s Chief Technology Officer (Aneesh Chopra) and the HIT Standards Committee in comments posted on the government’s blog. These comments make it clear: Traditional EHRs—the technology on which the government is planning to spend $36 billion—do not work for the majority of private practice physicians. Overwhelmingly (57 out of 60), blog contributors reported negative experiences with traditional EHRs, and not one private practicing physician detailed a positive story about his or her experience with a traditional EHR. I also sent Mr. Chopra a personal letter expressing my own concerns.
You gave your feedback and the government heard you loud and clear, but they are still not addressing the fundamental barrier to successful EHR adoption—the EHR products themselves. Our Vice President of Government Affairs, Lynn Scheps, attended the HIT Standards Committee meeting in Washington today. She reports that the Implementation Workgroup:
- acknowledged “substantial concern about the state of EHRs;”
- recognized that “we are not building on a firm legacy of success;”
- questioned whether “complex solutions are the best answer to complex problems;”
- and suggested that “thoughtful simplicity” can address complex issues.
Despite these conclusions, the government is still failing to see the forest for the trees. They are continuing to develop complex standards without requiring major changes to the underlying structure of the EHR products themselves. Without resolving the disconnect between the EHRs that incorporate these standards and the adoptability of these EHRs, we will neither achieve “meaningful use,” nor will we meet the government’s policy goals.
You can still post comments on the government’s blog*—it will remain open until December 1 due to the level of interest and the valuable insights provided.
*Start your comment with “In reference to Implementation Experience”
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Perhaps we should get together and find out how much of the health care dollar goes to fund government mandated initiatives? HIPAA, Cobra,Obra,Coding DRG management, how much all the EHR questions cost.. looking at time as a value
I bet if a sensible person looked at this, probably we could cut out a chunk of healthcare spending, but we would be putting so many government workers out of business.
After $50,000.00, I am abandoning the above web site and my attempt at EHR. I am back to paper and pencil and I save exactly as many people from cancer and heart disease as before. Large institutions may find a helpful role, but I can tell you in a single private practice it is of no help.