Blumenthal takes issue with EHR adoption naysayers

Healthcare providers should not use the difficulty of adopting electronic health records and the dueling conclusions of various studies on EHRs effect on quality as excuses to put off computerizing their records, believes Dr. David Blumenthal, the national health IT coordinator.

“I know that adopting electronic health records [EHRs] is not easy or problem-free or cost-free or atraumatic, because it can be all those things,” he said, adding that’s why his office created regional extension centers and other supports. “I understand that it is still a big risk,” he said at a conference sponsored by Academy Health and Health Affairs journal. Blumenthal pointed out that 18,000 providers have already registered to participate in the meaningful use incentive program. The first payments will go out to qualified Medicare providers on May 1, and some Medicaid providers have already received payment.