AMA to support HHS in expanding EHR use

The AMA has pledged to work with HHS to increase the exchange of electronic health data to patients and physicians, stating that more information-sharing will lead to better health outcomes and lower costs, according to an AMA press release.

The dearth of “seamless data exchange” in some hospitals and practices has had a negative effective on physician efficiency and patient satisfaction, and expanding the use of electronic health records will require public and private entities working together, the release stated.

“Patients and physicians are in this effort together because patients need easy access to their electronic health information, confident that it is secure and can be shared to benefit their health, and physicians need these electronic records to be interoperable to ensure that patients are receiving the best care possible,” Steven J. Stack, MD, president of the AMA, said in the release. “Yet, physicians have trouble finding products that can help them achieve this. With so many vendors signing this pledge as well, we look forward to a marketplace where the promise of [EHRs] is finally fulfilled.”

Most hospitals and practices currently use EHRs, but many still do not, according to the AMA, which in December released a series of recommendations to improve the Meaningful Use program, including expanding EHR functionality.

“We commend HHS for bringing so many stakeholders together, all of whom have an interest in using technology to result in a healthier and more efficient health care system,” Stack said.

For more information:

http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/news/news/2014/2014-09-16-solutions-to-ehr-systems.page

http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/news/news/2015/2015-12-15-ama-proposes-reforms-meaningful-use.page