The New Momentum Behind Electronic Health Records

[Commentary] The entire health care industry is starting to see how much it has to gain from health information technology. Still, the biggest benefits from this transformation will go to people like Will Bloedow who also spoke at the press conference. Like a lot of Americans, Will struggles with chronic disease, juggling a heart condition, diabetes and asthma. When he experienced a heart incident while traveling in Minnesota recently, Will's hospital in Wisconsin sent his entire medical record to the Minnesota hospital by secure email within half an hour—saving time, money and possibly, his life. Over the last 30 years, we've watched information technology revolutionize industry after industry, dramatically improving the customer experience and driving down costs. Now that government and stakeholders are coming together we are finally poised to make the same transformation in health care and leave the days of illegible notes, misplaced folders and musty file cabinets behind for good.