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So Many Subplots to E-Records Story


By Greg Gillespie October 2007
This edition of Health Data Management, like many others, is chock-full of stories about electronic records. Our reporting this month shows just how many facets there are to this I.T. evolution, and how many different opinions there are about the clinical, technological and financial aspects of automated records.

Our Cover story, starting on page 28, focuses on what's going on with EHRs at the group practice level. There was an interesting brew of forces at play when practices featured in the story made the decision to automate. Some were prodded by federal or state governments; others have gotten help from local hospitals; and still others haven't paid much attention to the Bush administration's focus on EHRs, electronic record certification efforts, pending federal health I.T. legislation, changes in I.T. donation laws and IRS rules, etc. Their decisions are based on a feeling that the technology is there, the price is increasingly right, and it just feels like it's time to go electronic.

Our Special Report, opening on page 40, provides an update on how EHRs and related technologies are being used for pay-for-performance programs.

But before you flip to those stories, check out page eight for the responses we received to our online Quick Poll question about personal health records. More than 700 readers voted, and a number sent us some insightful, at times scathing, opinions about PHRs.

PHRs also are the subject of our Payers department story, on page 70, that reports on the ongoing debate in the provider and payer communities about the pro's and con's of the move toward PHRs. And we're not quite finished with electronic records-both our Group Practices and Hospitals departments touch on the subject.

On a final note: Make sure to check out our Web site at www.healthdatamanagement.com. Our revamped site, scheduled to launch soon, will provide even more information to health care I.T. leaders.

Be sure to check out the Electronic Health Records channel and our many other channels, designed to make your search for the very latest information easier.

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