Health Care: National Strategy Needed to Accelerate the Implementation of Information Technology

July 14, 2004 Health Care: National Strategy Needed to Accelerate the Implementation of Information Technology The use of IT can yield benefits in clinical care and associated administrative functions as well as in public health. Health care organizations reported that electronic medical records (EMR) improved the delivery of care because, among other reasons, more complete medical documentation was available to support the provider's diagnosis. In addition, EMRs could greatly facilitate the reporting of public health information associated with the early detection of and response to disease outbreaks. One hospital replaced outpatients' paper medical charts with EMRs, realizing about $8 . . .