Using electronic health records could help improve patient care within integrated health care delivery systems, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office, Modern Healthcare reports (Grace, Modern Healthcare, 11/17).
For the report, GAO examined 15 public and private health care systems that integrate primary, specialty and acute medical care. Investigators found that EHR use is one of many strategies that integrated delivery systems use to support patient care (Dunn, Becker’s Hospital Review, 11/17).
Benefits of EHRs
In the GAO report, several health officials noted that EHRs had improved care quality by:
The report also noted that EHRs equipped with electronic prescribing systems or computerized provider order entry systems helped reduce errors and curb costs (Pulley, NextGov, 11/17).
Challenges With EHRs
Although EHRs have the potential to improve care, the GAO report noted that significant financial and operational challenges still hinder health care providers’ ability to maximize health IT use (Modern Healthcare, 11/17).
For example, many health care providers face obstacles related to:
Source: iHealthBeat
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