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California EHR study finds that size does matter

EHR Connection, February 4, 2008

A recent study by the California HealthCare Foundation (CHCF) found that the larger the medical practice, the more likely it is to use EHRs, according to the foundation's January 17 press release.

The study revealed that 79% of Kaiser Permanente physicians in California reported using EHRs. In contrast, only 25% of small/medium practices with fewer than 10 physicians and 13% of solo practitioners reported using EHRs.

Researchers also found that 37% of California physicians use EHRs, which outpaces the national average of 28%.

Other findings include the following facts:

  • Most California physicians still prescribe medications with handwritten orders; only one in four routinely uses e-prescribing
  • Only 13% of hospitals have fully implemented EHR systems and only 11% are fully using barcoding technology to administer drugs
  • Major barriers to EHR adoption by medical groups included cost (59%), difficulty and expense of implementation (42%), uncertainty about selecting the right product (31%), and resistance to changes in practice style (30%)
  • More than half of adults expressed interest in the ability to schedule medical appointments online, but 29% were "not at all interested" because of security and confidentiality issues and 39% were "not at all interested" in accessing PHRs online for the same reasons

CHCF describes itself on its Web site as "an independent philanthropy committed to improving the way healthcare is delivered and financed in California."

Click here to read the CHCF press release.

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