The results of a new survey about Health Information Technology (HIT) were published and are somewhat interesting. This survey was performed by the Premier Health Alliance and showed that 69% of the health care providers are making, or planning to make, their biggest investments on HIT.
If you are wondering why is this so surprising, let me explain. Everybody knows we are moving towards a technological era and that eventually everything will be digital, but how fast is this happening? Six months ago the same survey was performed and it was only 39% of the providers that were considering making such investments. It seems like the Government is pushing a little harder on the providers all of a sudden. With the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act/Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (ARRA-HITECH), the Government regulates reimbursements to providers. This means that if you do not have electronic records of your patients, you will not get paid.
Even though some people may argue that the economy is not strong and that it is unfair to make providers invest in such technology, we can’t miss the real target. Health care providers have a responsibility to their patients to offer the highest quality of service. By moving along with these changes, things such as coordinated services will run much smoothly and medication errors can be prevented.
It does not matter if the provider buys the most innovative technology or just what needs to comply with the regulations. What really matters is that HIT investments are a win/win situation for all parts included. I hope in the long run everyone sees this and that the authorities keep the best interests of the consumers in mind and not only their own.
More information can be found at: http://www.healthcare-informatics.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=738A7B85F16742B7AA6E47A7D864DB7A
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