Study: 'Deinstallation' of EMRs in Phoenix could be a trend

June 24, 2009 | Molly Merrill, Associate Editor

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PHOENIX – The state of Arizona and the Phoenix area have experienced a high adoption rate for electronic medical records, but this has been followed by a "deinstallation" of the technology, according a report by HealthLeaders-InterStudy.

Physician groups in Phoenix are canceling their EMR contracts as a result of training, functionality or affordability issues. This is especially prevalent among smaller physician groups, the report says.

The report said "deinstallation" due to financial issues is not unique to physician groups or to Arizona. For example, in areas like Miami, where the economic downturn is threatening the profitability of hospitals, adoption of EMRs has been slow because of a lack of funding for such capital projects.

The uptake of EMR technology in the Phoenix area and throughout Arizona has been credited to a 2005 executive order by then-Gov. Janet Napolitano that all healthcare providers install EMRs by 2010. The market's top hospital systems, Banner Health and Catholic Healthcare West, have installed EMRs, as have several other hospitals in Phoenix.

"Because the Phoenix area has been a real leader in EMR uptake, this is the first market in which we are seeing this deinstallation issue arise, but it likely will not be the last," said Chris Clancy, market analyst with HealthLeaders-InterStudy. "There's a physician shortage in Phoenix, so with overcrowded waiting rooms, it's difficult for doctors and their staffs to carve out ample time for training on EMR technology."

Reader Comments (4)Login to Post a Comment

Think Tank says: Deinstallation of EMR's

July 02, 2009 | 12:06PM GMT

Finally. It's hard to quantify the ROI for implementing an EMR. Hospitals are spending millions of dollars in what looks like a black hole. The concept seems to be rational but the cost is unsustainable. The data collected cannot be used without permission from the patient,the owner of the information, so essentially hospitals are building silos of data. Collecting information from patients is important but does it truly help reduce cost? CMS is refusing to pay for more and more conditions that they consider hospital caused. Will an EMR address this costly issue? The amount of resource spent on EMR's should be redirected to areas that indeed improve patient care, improve effeciency and reduce costs. The people that deliver the care should be the focus. Hospitals will get the best ROI if they apply resources to improving competencies and skills of all employees. Effecient organizations in other industries understand that having the best trained staff produce the best results. It is no different in Healthcare.

byronh says: Betting on the Right Horse

June 29, 2009 | 11:09AM GMT

Last year I wrote a textbook for McGraw-Hill Higher Education publishers. This text is providing hands-on training in electronic medical records for allied health students in 500+ community college across the nation. We chose SpringCharts program as the EHR of choice from over 200 programs in the marketplace because of its ease-of-use, intuitive style, and its fast learning curve. We found doctors were 'going live' with this CCHIT Certified program immediately after training and charting proficiently within a few days.

The reports of increased profitablilty and rapid documentation was very significant amongst small to medium sized independent physician groups. I believe there has only been one 'deinstallation' in 5 years.

Regardless of carrot and/or stick, national healthcare or not, Electronic Medical Records are here to stay. It's important to find the right horse. There are many in the race. Just having a horse doesn't guarantee a win. One cannot blame the race because he bet on the wrong horse. I believe SpringCharts may be a winner.

Byron Hamilton

afaustino says: free emr

June 25, 2009 | 7:51PM GMT

physician be aware, dont get into the same sinking boat that you did before. I bet the reason why you are de-installing your product is because it does not work and not efficient. I know that the smart physicians can see the benefit of the EMR craze. It will be the biggest tool in healthcare for years to come. The lesson to be learned here is do not buy the cheapest thing on the block, this is too important. Do not be fooled by free software. It is simple test drive the thing and if you like it then keep it. also involve your staff as they will be using it more than you! Stay away from "its free" any shrewed person out there will tell you its like luring a kid with candy. Children are nieve and the people giving the candy have other intentions. There is good stuff out there, thats why only 1 in 10 of you are returning your product.

leftick says: Deinstallation

June 24, 2009 | 10:00PM GMT

6-24
This is a fascinating story. Finally there is some pushback and some real life in this website. For what I hear, Obamacare will cut MD medicare reimbursements drastically. If the commercial insurers remain in business, their rates based on a % of medicare are likely to fall as well. The AMA self appointed "stakeholders" pledge more MD sacrifices. Who actually represents the majority of working MD's? Certainly not our politicians.
We are being relentlessly bombarded by adds and articles about the 44k at the end of the rainbow. The EMR providers are salivating to get us to buy and use functionally deficient equipment. This is a disaster in the making.
The money promised us will not go far. This is the carrot , I fear the Obama stick.
We will end up as medical serfs filling out endless forms and quality markers so that we can be beaten over the head if we deviate from the correct treatment paths. Does this sound like N. Korea?
This is very depressing. Oh to have worked 10 years earlier and be retired.
Marven Leftick MD