Health information technology: driving adoption.

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Healthcare Management
• Health Information Technology

Background:

• The electronic health record (EHR) market has experienced significant changes over the past two years.
• Vendors and healthcare providers are navigating the complexities associated with achieving "meaningful use" criteria for EHR systems.
• The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) aims to improve healthcare outcomes through widespread health information technology (HIT) utilization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the CMS's EHR incentive program designed to promote the adoption and meaningful use of EHRs.
• To explain the "glide path" approach and its role in incentivizing EHR deployment.
• To address the financial barriers hindering the widespread implementation of EHR systems.

Main Methods:

• The study describes the multi-stage approach, or "glide path," established by CMS.
• It details the use of financial rewards and penalties as incentives within the EHR program.
• The focus is on understanding the program's design to overcome cost barriers.

Main Results:

• The CMS has implemented a structured incentive program to drive EHR adoption.
• Financial incentives and penalties are strategically used to encourage providers to meet "meaningful use" standards.
• The program aims to mitigate the significant costs associated with EHR deployment.

Conclusions:

• The CMS's EHR incentive program, utilizing a "glide path" and financial mechanisms, is a key strategy to foster widespread EHR adoption.
• Overcoming the cost barrier is crucial for the successful implementation of health information technology.
• The initiative is fundamentally linked to the belief that enhanced HIT utilization will lead to improved healthcare outcomes.