Using health information technology (HIT) such as electronic health record (EHR) systems produce rapid, measurable benefits, according to a study published in the journal
Health Affairs. The study, completed by the HHS Office of the National Coordinator for HIT (ONC), examined a large number of articles that measured the effectiveness of HIT use.
The conclusion? More than 90% of the articles "showed overall positive effects ... on key aspects of care including quality and efficiency," HHS touts in a March 8 press release.
However, when it comes down to the fine-grained particulars, the results are just slightly more opaque. The study examined a total of 154 articles, of which 96 reported positive results only and the 46 remaining reported "mixed but predominantly positive" results. The kicker is that 10 articles reported "negative or mixed-negative" results.
Examples of positive results included:
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Decrease in patient mortality of up to 48% at three New York City dialysis centers in the three years after EHR implementation; at the same time nurse staffing decrease by 25%, saving money
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In 41 Texas hospitals, those with more advanced HIT implementation saw fewer complications, lower patient mortality and lower costs than those with less advanced implementation
As for the minority of negative results, the explanation lies in provider satisfaction with the
transition process to EHRs, according to the study's ONC authors. "Negative findings in the study were most often associated with ... difficulties in the process of transitioning from paper-based to electronic-based records and care," HHS says in the release.
Check out the full study on the ONC website.