Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #109557

Betsy Carrier, MBA¹, David Inoue, MPH, MHA², Christina Moylan, MHS¹, and Donna Sickler, MPH¹. (1) National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems, 1301 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Suite 950, Washington, DC 20004, (2) National Association of Public Hospitals, 1301 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Suite 950, Washington, DC 20004, 202-585-0124, dinoue@naph.org

The primary objective of this research was to collect baseline information on the use of electronic medical records (EMRs) and related clinical applications in public hospitals and health systems. A 383-question survey tool was used via the Internet to collect information on the use of EMRs, clinical data repositories (CDR), picture archival and communication systems (PACS), radiology information systems, laboratory management information systems, inpatient and outpatient pharmacy management, digital dictation and transcription, and clinical and patient access systems in these facilities. Key informant interviews were also conducted.

Fifty-eight percent of the 100 NAPH members receiving the survey participated. Our findings indicate that public hospitals consider HIT an area of vital importance. There is variation, however, in the installation of the various HIT systems. Significant progress has been made in HIT acquisition in high use departmental areas, such as radiology and laboratory departments, where vendor products were more established, the required capital investment was lower, and return on investment was more immediate. There is a lag in adopting more expensive technologies such as EMRs, CDRs, and PACS. We also found a low installation rate for technologies that allow patients to access health information or e-mail their physicians.

Although public hospitals are making significant progress in automating their facilities, capital investments are difficult given the financial constraints that result from providing uncompensated care to millions of uninsured and underinsured patients. This situation warrants further attention from policy makers given the goal to implement EMRs nationwide within ten years. Public hospitals will require special considerations and targeted funding to help them keep pace with HIT investments being made in the rest of the hospital industry.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Describe the extent of Health Information Technology (HIT) installation in nine technical areas in Public Hospitals.
• 2. Identify barriers to the further installation of HIT equipment in Public Hospitals.
• 3. Discuss the financial restraints facing public hospitals and health systems and the policy implications for encouraging greater adoption of HIT within these institutions.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commertial supporters WITH THE EXCEPTION OF Employment.

Recorded presentation