New Survey Shows Information Technology Use in Hospitals Continues to Grow
by Barbara Kram, Editor | February 27, 2007
Nearly half of all responding
community hospitals reported
moderate or high use
of health IT in 2006
community hospitals reported
moderate or high use
of health IT in 2006
More and more, hospitals across America are embracing health information technology (IT) and its benefits for quality of care and patient safety, according to survey results released today by the American Hospital Association (AHA). The survey, the AHA's second snapshot of how hospitals are using IT, found that nearly half of all responding community hospitals reported moderate or high use of health IT in 2006, compared to a response of 37 percent in 2005.
Hospitals also reported dramatic increases in the use of computerized alerts to prevent negative drug interactions. In 2006, 51 percent of hospitals were using real-time drug interaction alerts, up from 23 percent in 2005.
"Advances in health IT are changing the way we deliver care," said AHA President Rich Umbdenstock. "Better tools, better information and better ways to share information are critical in our constant quest to provide quality, safe care to the patients we serve."
As the health care debate intensifies, health IT is at the forefront of the conversation. President Bush has called for electronic health records for most Americans within 10 years. Congress has introduced legislation intended to create uniform standards and assist hospitals on the lower end of the IT implementation spectrum. As they are on the front lines of our nation's health care system, hospitals realize the importance of health IT to the well-being of the patients and communities they serve.
Certain kinds of hospitals are further ahead in adoption of health IT. The size of the hospital also plays a considerable role in its IT use. Of the largest hospitals-those with 500 beds or more-74 percent reported moderate or high health IT use in 2006. By contrast, only 23 percent of hospitals with 50 or fewer beds were in the top two levels of IT use. Hospitals in urban areas, teaching hospitals and hospitals with better financial health also used more health IT.
Other key findings include:
* For the first time, the 2006 survey asked specifically about the use of electronic health records (EHRs). Sixty-nine percent of responding hospitals have either fully or partially implemented EHRs.
* Computerized physician order-entry (CPOE), which allows physicians to electronically order medications, tests and consultations, is also gaining ground, especially in hospitals with fully implemented EHRs.
* Spending on health IT systems is high and growing. The median capital spending per bed for system implementation was $5,556 in 2006. The median operating costs, which cover ongoing expenses, were $12,060 per bed, a 4.5 percent increase over 2005.
Hospitals also reported dramatic increases in the use of computerized alerts to prevent negative drug interactions. In 2006, 51 percent of hospitals were using real-time drug interaction alerts, up from 23 percent in 2005.
"Advances in health IT are changing the way we deliver care," said AHA President Rich Umbdenstock. "Better tools, better information and better ways to share information are critical in our constant quest to provide quality, safe care to the patients we serve."
As the health care debate intensifies, health IT is at the forefront of the conversation. President Bush has called for electronic health records for most Americans within 10 years. Congress has introduced legislation intended to create uniform standards and assist hospitals on the lower end of the IT implementation spectrum. As they are on the front lines of our nation's health care system, hospitals realize the importance of health IT to the well-being of the patients and communities they serve.
Certain kinds of hospitals are further ahead in adoption of health IT. The size of the hospital also plays a considerable role in its IT use. Of the largest hospitals-those with 500 beds or more-74 percent reported moderate or high health IT use in 2006. By contrast, only 23 percent of hospitals with 50 or fewer beds were in the top two levels of IT use. Hospitals in urban areas, teaching hospitals and hospitals with better financial health also used more health IT.
Other key findings include:
* For the first time, the 2006 survey asked specifically about the use of electronic health records (EHRs). Sixty-nine percent of responding hospitals have either fully or partially implemented EHRs.
* Computerized physician order-entry (CPOE), which allows physicians to electronically order medications, tests and consultations, is also gaining ground, especially in hospitals with fully implemented EHRs.
* Spending on health IT systems is high and growing. The median capital spending per bed for system implementation was $5,556 in 2006. The median operating costs, which cover ongoing expenses, were $12,060 per bed, a 4.5 percent increase over 2005.
1(current)
