Comments on: Most hospitals still use paper records, and why money alone won’t solve the electronic medical record problem http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2009/03/most-hospitals-still-use-paper-records.html medical blog Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:50:49 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Stephen Holland http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2009/03/most-hospitals-still-use-paper-records.html/comment-page-1#comment-110736 Stephen Holland Sun, 30 Aug 2009 00:35:55 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2009/03/most-hospitals-still-use-paper-records-and-why-money-alone-wont-solve-the-electronic-medical-record-problem.html#comment-110736 Great post. Right to the point. I despaired when I heard that EMR software was getting supported by the government. A 3% Medicare reward will not compensate for the productivity loss we will see. Great post. Right to the point. I despaired when I heard that EMR software was getting supported by the government. A 3% Medicare reward will not compensate for the productivity loss we will see.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2009/03/most-hospitals-still-use-paper-records.html/comment-page-1#comment-90551 Anonymous Fri, 27 Mar 2009 23:59:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2009/03/most-hospitals-still-use-paper-records-and-why-money-alone-wont-solve-the-electronic-medical-record-problem.html#comment-90551 The role of the government in the evolution of EMR should be to enable rather than obstruct but not to dictate, standardize, or subsidize. With that policy, over time a few functional efficient systems will emerge can talk to each other and will, by necessity, be those that enhance the clinical and business operations of providers. Mandates and subsidies will keep inefficiencies longer--perhaps even make them permanent parts of the structure. <br/><br/>Like with Mac and PC, the surviving platforms will eventually be able to readily exchange information because the customer will demand it. The role of the government in the evolution of EMR should be to enable rather than obstruct but not to dictate, standardize, or subsidize. With that policy, over time a few functional efficient systems will emerge can talk to each other and will, by necessity, be those that enhance the clinical and business operations of providers. Mandates and subsidies will keep inefficiencies longer–perhaps even make them permanent parts of the structure.

Like with Mac and PC, the surviving platforms will eventually be able to readily exchange information because the customer will demand it.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2009/03/most-hospitals-still-use-paper-records.html/comment-page-1#comment-90549 Anonymous Fri, 27 Mar 2009 23:12:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2009/03/most-hospitals-still-use-paper-records-and-why-money-alone-wont-solve-the-electronic-medical-record-problem.html#comment-90549 i have seen the va system it is not that good, and is very difficult to figure out, I tried as an intern to figure it out and couldn't do it.<br/><br/>what about those of us who go to 3 or 4 hospitals do we have to learn 4 systems and I have my own emr, so i have to learn that one as well, at least with paper you can just walk in and do the work.<br/><br/>also what about traveler nurses you won't be able to hire travelers because it will take weeks of training to get them working. i have seen the va system it is not that good, and is very difficult to figure out, I tried as an intern to figure it out and couldn’t do it.

what about those of us who go to 3 or 4 hospitals do we have to learn 4 systems and I have my own emr, so i have to learn that one as well, at least with paper you can just walk in and do the work.

also what about traveler nurses you won’t be able to hire travelers because it will take weeks of training to get them working.

]]> By: Reality Rounds http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2009/03/most-hospitals-still-use-paper-records.html/comment-page-1#comment-90547 Reality Rounds Fri, 27 Mar 2009 20:14:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2009/03/most-hospitals-still-use-paper-records-and-why-money-alone-wont-solve-the-electronic-medical-record-problem.html#comment-90547 Most hospitals continue to use paper records because you are right, the current EMR systems used today SUX. It is extremely difficult to retrofit these old systems to current technology. The current systems used today are cumbersome and confusing. It takes twice as long for an MD to put an order in, and it takes twice as long for the RN to find that order. I agree money alone will not solve this problem. Although, maybe with the hint of money, some innovative ideas regarding EMR will emerge. We need to start from scratch. I have heard some systems used in VA hospitals are pretty good (?). Most hospitals continue to use paper records because you are right, the current EMR systems used today SUX. It is extremely difficult to retrofit these old systems to current technology. The current systems used today are cumbersome and confusing. It takes twice as long for an MD to put an order in, and it takes twice as long for the RN to find that order. I agree money alone will not solve this problem. Although, maybe with the hint of money, some innovative ideas regarding EMR will emerge. We need to start from scratch. I have heard some systems used in VA hospitals are pretty good (?).

]]> By: Leonard Kish http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2009/03/most-hospitals-still-use-paper-records.html/comment-page-1#comment-90545 Leonard Kish Fri, 27 Mar 2009 19:03:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2009/03/most-hospitals-still-use-paper-records-and-why-money-alone-wont-solve-the-electronic-medical-record-problem.html#comment-90545 Kevin,<br/><br/>I think you're right. An open, web-based system that allows doctors to get their jobs done better at low cost will be what finally tips the scales towards the use of electronic records. That would solve all of the concerns at virtually no cost to the hospitals. Just need to get over connectivity and privacy hurdles, but it will happen. I'm not sure we're as far away as you think, but you may be right that throwing money at the old way of doing things will get in the way. Kevin,

I think you’re right. An open, web-based system that allows doctors to get their jobs done better at low cost will be what finally tips the scales towards the use of electronic records. That would solve all of the concerns at virtually no cost to the hospitals. Just need to get over connectivity and privacy hurdles, but it will happen. I’m not sure we’re as far away as you think, but you may be right that throwing money at the old way of doing things will get in the way.

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