 |
| Image Source:dvidshub.net |
 |
| Image Source: siliconangle.com |
This is according to the Wall Street Journal, which based its report on a data from the Department of Health and Human Services. The shift to EHR is an expected turn of events, considering that HHS has both promised federal incentives for medical professionals who use the new system and penalization for those who refuse to adopt it by 2015. About 291,325 doctors, 3,880 hospitals, and other office-based providers that are eligible for incentives in exchange for adopting EHR have received payments. Doctors, in particular, have received around $5.9 billion while $8.7 billion has gone to hospitals.
 |
| Image Source: nhi.gov |
The EHR system contains patients' records and doctors’ prescriptions. They are also designed to make recommendations when orders are made, like a possible allergic reaction to a drug.
But while most doctors have anticipated that the new technology can make medical care safer and more efficient, some have remained unenthusiastic of the change. Being used to the “old ways” of record-keeping, these reluctant doctors say that encoding information into their computer while talking with patients requires more attention than note taking. Others also cite the seemingly limited space for family history and other important parts of a patient's medical record. A few doctors also have privacy concerns and some others complain about receiving unnecessary warning alerts. To these “awkward” grievances, HHS National Coordinator for Health Information Technology Farzad Mostashari has few lines to say: “Please, be patient with your physician as they transition to this. The ‘under construction, pardon our appearance’ sign—that’s the phase we’re in.”
 |
| Image Source: nytimes.com |
The digital doctors might be having some hard time adopting to the EHR system but in time, they’ll eventually learn. The HHS is hopeful about that. The doctors, meanwhile, have five years to cope.
TSI Healthcare has a team of experts that can help doctors switch to electronic health record system easily. Visit this website to learn how EHR works.
