Based on findings from a recent study, researchers suggest electronic health records and clinical decision support systems may not significantly improve quality in ambulatory care settings, according to research published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
For their study, researchers analyzed data from more than 255,000 ambulatory patient visits from the 2005-2007 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. According to their research, EHRs were used in approximately 30 percent of 1.1 billion annual patient visits, while CDS was utilized in 17 percent of those visits.
Of 20 total quality indicators, only one quality indicator (diet counseling in high-risk adults) was greater in EHR visits than non-EHR visits. What's more, only one quality indicator (lack of routine electrocardiographic ordering in low-risk patients) was greater in patient visits utilizing CDS than visits without CDS.
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For their study, researchers analyzed data from more than 255,000 ambulatory patient visits from the 2005-2007 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. According to their research, EHRs were used in approximately 30 percent of 1.1 billion annual patient visits, while CDS was utilized in 17 percent of those visits.
Of 20 total quality indicators, only one quality indicator (diet counseling in high-risk adults) was greater in EHR visits than non-EHR visits. What's more, only one quality indicator (lack of routine electrocardiographic ordering in low-risk patients) was greater in patient visits utilizing CDS than visits without CDS.
Read the study about health IT's affect on outpatient care.
Related Articles About Health IT:
Excluded Providers Fight for Meaningful Use Incentive Payments
ONC's Federal Health Architecture Contracts CGI to Develop Gateway for Nationwide Information Exchange3 States Receive Millions from CMS to Build Insurance Exchanges