High implementation costs, a lack of health IT personnel and old paper-based traditions are hindering many Minnesota rural hospitals from meeting the HITECH meaningful use provisions, according to a Minnesota Public Radio report.
The report said that of the 102 rural hospitals in Minnesota, 59 percent operated with net margins of less than five percent, while nearly 25 percent were not solvent. Twenty-eight rural hospitals have also closed since 1987, the report also said, while eight hospitals have joined larger health systems in the past 18 months.
With so many rural hospitals barely breaking even, electronic health record systems, while embraced, are years away from full meaningful use implementation. However, the report stated that some Minnesota hospitals collaborate through group purchasing organizations to help bear EHR costs.
Read the Minnesota Public Radio report on rural hospitals' electronic health records.
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The report said that of the 102 rural hospitals in Minnesota, 59 percent operated with net margins of less than five percent, while nearly 25 percent were not solvent. Twenty-eight rural hospitals have also closed since 1987, the report also said, while eight hospitals have joined larger health systems in the past 18 months.
With so many rural hospitals barely breaking even, electronic health record systems, while embraced, are years away from full meaningful use implementation. However, the report stated that some Minnesota hospitals collaborate through group purchasing organizations to help bear EHR costs.
Read the Minnesota Public Radio report on rural hospitals' electronic health records.
Related Articles on EHRs:
HHS to Initiate Program Donating EHR Software to Minority Communities
More Missouri Hospitals Using Electronic Health Records
St. John's Regional: EHRs Made Difference in Joplin Tornado Recovery