As if the price tag for launching an electronic health record system isn't high enough, the price of upgrading and maintaining such systems can make it even harder for hospitals and physician practices to meet meaningful use requirements, according to a Pittsburgh Business Times news report.
Although the cost of an EHR depends on the size of a practice or hospital and other factors, future upgrades needed to achieve interoperability — a major tenet of meaningful use — can cost providers at least $500,000, according to the report. Additionally, providers could run the risk of launching a system that cannot communicate with other systems.
Read the news report about meaningful use challenges.
Read other coverage about meaningful use:
- Professional Associations Release Comments on Stage 2 Meaningful Use
- CHIME to Government: Carefully Assess Stage 1 Before Implementing Stage 2 Meaningful Use
- ONC to Test Information-Sharing Tools This Fall
Although the cost of an EHR depends on the size of a practice or hospital and other factors, future upgrades needed to achieve interoperability — a major tenet of meaningful use — can cost providers at least $500,000, according to the report. Additionally, providers could run the risk of launching a system that cannot communicate with other systems.
Read the news report about meaningful use challenges.
Read other coverage about meaningful use:
- Professional Associations Release Comments on Stage 2 Meaningful Use
- CHIME to Government: Carefully Assess Stage 1 Before Implementing Stage 2 Meaningful Use
- ONC to Test Information-Sharing Tools This Fall