I believe the notion of an integrated EHR across the continuum of care is a bit if a myth. Are all of your admitting physicians using your EHR? Is every primary care provider in your community using your EHR? When patients transfer to a tertiary care hospital, is that same EHR still used? Somewhere the patients that we treat are receiving care that is documented somewhere other than our EHR. But, I understand the strategy of using as few applications as possible in order to simplify operations and integration challenges. Still, if I could have an off the shelf solution, that hardwires proper care based upon all of man’s medical knowledge I would take that even if it required me to embrace best of breed.

Also, where do you rate “built in” EBM vs integration across the continuum of care? More or less important???

TPD!

Thanks!

Understatement of the year.

I completely agree with this statement! The certification process being talked about can only be useful if every organization and eligible physician can easily understand what needs to be in a “meaningfully structured” set of parameters that define the health care treatment process. The “must have” parameters must be tested in a simulated event, and then transmitted immediately to a designated secure remote depository that can confirm receipt of the record being stored for future reference purposes by authorized personnel. The e-Prescribing process is the ideal first step that should be used to validate each electronic health record being submitted for certification.

TPD!