With federal aid, nephrologists will benefit from evolving technologies

As we approach the end of the first decade of the 21st century, we are witnessing the confluence of a number of factors that, taken together, have the opportunity to fulfill the promise of health information technology. CMS is bringing substantial financial pressure to bear through ARRA, PQRI, and the e-prescribing initiatives. The OIG safe harbor and the Stark exception for EHR donations facilitate the provision of additional incentives to many nephrologists. Technological advances related to speed, interoperability, and mobile platforms are converging to allow EHRs to offer the right information at the right time to support the nephrologist's delivery of the best care possible to an increasingly complex patient population. In this dynamic environment, nephrologists must move both quickly and cautiously as they select, implement and adopt an electronic health record.