Some of the other useful resources on this topic:
REC’s putting EHR’s to meaningful use
Certification criteria for EHR

Also the introduction of REC’s through the HITECH act. is a great way to avail of quality EHR solutions at competitive prices. The stiff competition among not only these REC’s but also among EHR vendors ( to become a preferred vendor of a given REC) will result in lot of positives to medical practioners.
Looking the funding provided to the REC’s, the staggered grant allocation system also promises to be an unbiased way of allocating funds. It will also help in the concept of REC’s helping out each with their own unique business models. It can be one of the possible answers to the
’safe vendor challenge’ as discussed by many critics.

In both Law and Banking professions the computer is used extensively to generate the information required to document the transaction between the institution and the client. They use this computerized data for quick reference when the client presents for a service. However, no one has ever proposed that they become totally paperless in the records of these transaction. There is always a hard copy !!

Now what makes Medicine unique that it should become paperless ?

It is certainly wonderful to have a digital copy on the computer for quick reference by Physicians, office personnel, Insurance filers, Office manager, Auditors, Lawyers, etc.

However, if you consider the computer as only a “tool” in creating the patient’s medical record you immediately have a quick affordable solution to the EMR.

By using the computer to generate the “True or Permanent Record” which is Paper, you gain all the advantages of the EMR without any of deficits. It is legible, not subject to electronic alterations or deletions, Requires no expensive Electronic Input Gadgets, No learning curve on how to create an EMR, Allows the physician to bring to the record increased information (i.e. Differential Diagnosis, Patient information, Drug Interaction).

If you find one morning you have a computer glitch right in the middle of a busy
Clinic, no problem, the paper record is still working fine and the computer generated hard copies can be accomplished at later date.

The Hardware for the computer is already available at the level required by the various types of practices. Some solo practices could generate an EMR with only a
simple desk top computer. Larger practices should be able to find computer power they require with minimal effort and cost. The soft ware can be purchase off the shelf. After all what is unique about typing someone’s Name, Address, Age, SS# etc
I believe our documentation by Diagnosis is quick, complete, accurate and ready .i.e. Each diagnosis is formatted with ICD code, Etiology Check boxes,
Symptoms and Signs-check boxes, Lab Studies
Imagining, Management Protocals

In “Going Paperless”We might be “ Throwing the Baby (i.e. Paper Record) out with the bath water.”
I am almost certain that we will see many unintended consequences if we follow this path.
The most elegant solutions are the simplest
One of the fundimental tenets of process improvement is to work out a process using low tech solutions before you invest in high tech solutions which can make the process harder to improve and can have a negative impact on productivity.

Have a large capital expense
- None.

Have a large monthly upkeep -None.

I wish I agreed with you that physicians I have met the ARRA money with a collective yawn – I literally take calls and emails every week from existing and potential clients asking me “Where can I get my money?!” and I work with pediatricians, most of whom don’t even qualify (and, if they do, they get less $$). I have tried pointing out that a pediatrician – the lowest paid of all specialties – needs only to add 1 or 2 well visits a week to make more $$ than ARRA will provide (in the best circumstances), but that doesn’t matter to them.

Sad, but true. ARRA questions are killing us.