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CDC survey shows half of office-based physicians using EMRs
Some cite financial incentives from the government as driving this trend. Greater increases in use may come during the next 2 years.
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The preliminary results of a survey conducted by the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics show that 50.7% of nonfederal office-based physicians are using electronic medical record/electronic health record systems and 10.1% of physicians have “fully-functional” systems.
The preliminary 2010 data represents a twofold increase in the overall use of electronic medical record (EMR)/electronic health record (EHR) systems by these physicians since 2005. Although the survey did not explore why this increase occurred, study investigator Chun-Ju Hsiao, PhD, told Infectious Diseases in Children it is likely that this trend would continue due to recent federal programs that provide financial incentives for implementing these systems.
To determine the EMR/EHR use among office-based physicians, Hsiao and her colleagues surveyed 10,301 physicians between April and July 2010 by mail and follow-up telephone calls. The investigators had an unweighted response rate of 68%.
The preliminary 2010 data revealed that 24.9% of respondents had systems that met the criteria of a “basic” system, which include features such as capturing patient history and demographics, computerized orders for prescriptions, and the ability to view lab and imaging results. This figure increased 14.2% compared with 2009 data.
The investigators also discovered a 46.4% jump between 2009 and 2010 in the number of physicians who reported having “fully-functional” systems, which include features such as drug interaction warnings, medical history, and guideline-based interventions. In addition, the 2010 survey results showed that overall EMR/EHR use varied by state, ranging from 38.1% for Kentucky to 80.2% in Minnesota.
Rosemarie Nelson, principle of the MGMA Health Care Consulting Group, said that she was not surprised that most physicians are using the systems.
“The real story here is about only 10% [having fully functional systems],” said Nelson, adding that that federal incentive programs and benefits in practice workflow are driving EMR/EHR adoption and noted an increase in clientele for these systems.
“In the past, there was interest, but the decision was no decision,” she said. “Now, we are seeing physicians pull the trigger.” — by Gina Brockenbrough
For more information:
- National Center for Health Statistics, CDC. Electronic medical record/electronic health record systems of office-based physicians: United States, 2009 and preliminary 2010 state estimates. Dec. 8, 2010.
Disclosures: No sources had any relevant financial disclosures.