During this electrifying political season, there is a flurry of attention being given to Electronic Health Records. Nationwide implementation of EHR’s is a core component of candidate plans to reform the American health care system. The main reasons put forth include to save money, reduce medical errors, avoid redundant testing, identify previously ineffective treatment, and provide access to current medications from any point of care. The media is high profiling phrases such as “interoperability,” “RHIO’s” and “Personal Health Record (PHR).”
Adding to the intensity of the EHR discussion, the federal government is proposing penalties for EMR non-adopters. Our largest technology companies, namely Microsoft and Google, are charging into competition to capture the hot property of the PHR.
Some of the enabling technology for these high level goals is in place. Some crucial components are not. What are the providers of healthcare to do? More particularly, how can those contemplating software for behavioral health, addictions, MRDD and public health approach the question of why should they embark on such an undertaking? Here is my thought. To borrow a saying:
Plan globally and for the future………Act locally and for the present
An organization’s top planners must be aware of the national vision and policy trends concerning EHRs. They must be informed about technology trends. Only then can they define their own plans and make decisions. For example, they should not cast their lot with a vendor which cannot demonstrate its ability to lead or at least keep up with technical developments over the long haul.
