Mass High Tech Names 5 Barriers to EHR Implementation

A recent report in Mass High Tech: The Journal of New England Technology outlined five key barriers to healthcare providers' implementation of electronic health records as well as ways providers in Massachusetts were addressing these concerns.

The report noted that 50 percent of healthcare providers were currently using EHRs in their facilities, well above the national average. However, only 25 percent of physicians' offices were using the systems.

The five key barriers highlighted in the report were:

1. Money. Many healthcare providers are having difficulty finding funds to pay the up-front costs of EHRs, according to the report. The federal government has promised $44,000-$65,000 to physicians, but the money will be delivered over a span of many years. Several small health IT companies have introduced start-up products at reduced costs.
2. Work flow. Many providers have been hesitant to convert to electronic files due to changes in how employees treat patients, while others have not prepared to address concerns of "computer-phobic" employees, according to the report. Several health IT companies have promised to take the time to help acclimate physicians and staff members through the process.
3. Ease of use. Previous EHR systems resulted in reduced physician productivity as they learned the new system, leaving many reluctant install the systems, according to the report. Many EHR developers have concentrated on simplifying the user interfaces to reduce this lag.
4. Performance measurement. New federal guidelines will require healthcare providers to report quality care information, a task many EHR systems are not quite equipped to handle, according to the report. Software developers are creating tools and benchmarks to address this new requirement.
5. Support. Many small physician practices and medical centers do not have the capability to provide the on-site support staff needed by new EHR systems, according to the report. Software-based service providers can provide the support needed by maintaining the system for these healthcare providers.

Read the Mass High Tech report on electronic health records.