Big Challenges Await Health-Records Transition

Dr David Blumenthal, the physician in charge of the federal government's massive push to move health care to electronic records from paper files, faces "huge challenges" as he starts his new job in Washington this week. Experts have warned that systems that are poorly designed or badly run can jeopardize patient safety. They are calling for more regulation or stricter standards for certification, arguing that the risks are heightened by limited public oversight of the systems. Dr. Blumenthal said Monday that problems can arise from trying to install systems too quickly and without proper support. He called technical assistance a "critical factor" in reducing risks.