Hospital EMR use not yet widespread
Quick View. March 19, 2007.
|
Implementation |
|
Full |
Partial |
None |
| Fewer than 50 beds |
3% |
43% |
54% |
| 50-99 beds |
7% |
56% |
37% |
| 100-299 beds |
13% |
66% |
21% |
| 300-499 beds |
23% |
64% |
13% |
| 500 and more beds |
23% |
69% |
8% |
| Rural |
5% |
53% |
42% |
| Urban |
16% |
61% |
23% |
| Nonteaching |
9% |
56% |
35% |
| Teaching |
17% |
64% |
19% |
Only 11% of community hospitals have fully implemented EMR systems, while 57% have "partially" implemented systems and 32% have not started.
About 16% of hospitals said they had most or all functions of an EMR in place in 2006, up from 10% in 2005. The rate of EMR use in physician practices is estimated at 20%. Cost is the main barrier to EMR implementation, as cited by 86% of the hospitals responding. Hospitals estimate they are spending $17,616 per bed -- $12,060 for operating costs and $5,556 for capital costs -- for EMR implementation and use, a number up slightly since 2005.
Source: American Hospital Assn. study, "Continued Progress: Hospital Use of Information Technology," Feb. 27
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Copyright 2007 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.