Washington, D.C. (Jan. 28, 2009) – As users of advanced electronic medical record (EMR) systems, more than 65 Chief Information Officers (CIOs) representing healthcare providers throughout the United States have called on “Congress to use its authority and funding by acting now to increase EMR adoption rates across our nation.” The hospitals represented by these 65 CIOs are among the top hospitals in the US in terms of EMR adoption.
The CIOs signed this Congressional Call for Action.
As CIOs representing healthcare providers across the United States, we have all made the decision to invest in advanced levels of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems. Our practical experience as EMR users has given us insights in how EMRs can benefit healthcare. As such, we believe that EMRs and accompanying change management processes have the potential to improve patient safety, the quality of care delivered, reduce costs, and make interconnected healthcare possible. We ask Congress to use its authority and funding by acting now to increase EMR adoption rates across our nation.
When asked why they agreed to participate in the Call for Action, CIOs responded with the following comments indicating the benefits and needs for EMR implementation.
“The right level and judicious allocation of federal funds could drive critical-mass adoption of electronic medical records and their associated benefits. Today, many physician practices, clinics and other provider organizations simply can't afford to do the right thing. The support of experienced, proven healthcare CIOs adds credibility to the Call for Action, since we have first-hand knowledge of the challenges and opportunities that can be addressed. Those who govern need to hear from those who live and work the reality.”--Rick Schooler, Vice President and CIO, Orlando Health, Orlando, Fla.
“I agreed to participate because I believe that now was the perfect time to join my colleagues in making a collective statement to the new administration about the importance of electronic health records. Many of us have experienced the benefits of EHRs for a long time now...but it is going to take more national incentives for the smaller physician groups and hospitals to be able to financially afford the implementation....not just for the hardware and software, but to really re-vamp their processes accordingly. To achieve the goal of electronic health records for all Americans by 2014, we need all healthcare providers (large and small) to have systems in place.”--Jennifer Laughlin, MBA, RHIA, Vice President and CIO, UW Health Partners-Watertown Regional Medical Center, Watertown, Wis.
“We have realized innumerable benefits since implementing our integrated EMR and imaging technologies. Immediate access to legible, secure multidisciplinary documentation and images is imperative when providing timely quality care. Gone are the days when all documentation was on multipart carbon forms with information written by hand, making legibility an issue. On occasion, the paper chart would get misplaced thus delaying patient care and increasing the risk of repeating tests. It is impossible to audit a paper chart or share it virtually among multiple caregivers at the same time. Congress must help all of us, including our private physicians, reach the full potential of EMR. Our patients deserve nothing less.”--James Weeks, CIO, Greenwich Hospital, Greenwich, Conn.
“While I am the CIO and am charged with the purchase, implementation and support of these technologies, the most useful information I receive is witnessing firsthand how the EMR positively impacts the patient. There is no question that these technologies, when designed and implemented properly, can save lives, decrease costs, reduce length of stay and provide far better outcomes. We have so much more work to do and so many more opportunities. The challenge will be funding and resources, both of which are fleeting in this challenging economic time.”--David P. Dyer, Vice President Planning/CIO, Somerset Medical Center, Somerville, NJ
“It has been our experience that HIT properly implemented, can add value to the patient care process by providing physicians, nurses and others with the information, alerts and reminders that help them do their jobs more efficiently and effectively.”--Frank Richards, Chief Information Officer, Geisinger Health Systems, Danville, Penn.
“I think it's critical that CIOs from healthcare provider organizations make their voice heard on national health IT issues and legislation. We are on the front lines every day working with clinicians to deliver solutions that improve patient safety and quality while trying to reduce the costs of health care delivery. We appreciate the opportunity to share our knowledge; working together we can offer our perspective on what works and what we have found doesn't work."--Sue Schade, Chief Information Officer, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Mass.
“As a result of our EMR efforts, we have consistently improved CMS and JCAHO quality/safety indicators. The CPOE benefits of improved safety based upon intelligent decision support have been baked in to VCUHS over the 25 years we have enjoyed CPOE. Our recent success with on-line physician-structured documentation is already improving internal compliance and provider handoffs. Our patients have the benefit of a single continuous electronic record between the hospital and the 80 associated outpatient clinics. Our physician community has the advantage of anywhere/anytime access to the patient record to address emergent situations and to better organize their time. They are working in a just-in-time information rich mobile environment. We are 2/3 of the way done but cannot complete this journey without an infusion of needed capital.”--Rich Pollack, Vice President and Chief Information Officer, VCU Health System, Richmond, Va.
“We have a system of safety here at Norwalk Hospital that is technology enabled. In addition to an EMR, we have implemented other advanced technologies including smart beds, smart pumps, CPOE, evidence based clinical rules, bar-coded medication administration, a pharmacy robot, and more. These technologies have helped us to significantly improve and sustain patient safety and quality measures - to levels of which we are very proud and have had a direct, positive impact on patient care.”--Jamie M. Mooney, Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Norwalk Hospital, Norwalk, Conn.
“Through this call to Congress, legislators have a view of EMRs value from health IT professionals, the CIOs who deliver the technology to patients and clinicians every day,” said Charles E. Christian, FHIMSS, FCHIME, Chairman of HIMSS and CIO at Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes, Ind., and Joanne Sunquist, Chairperson of CHIME and CIO at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minn. “As CIOs in healthcare facilities, we are witnesses to the ongoing benefits of EMR implementation for our organizations and the entire healthcare system.”
About HIMSS
The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) is the healthcare industry's membership organization exclusively focused on providing global leadership for the optimal use of healthcare information technology (IT) and management systems for the betterment of healthcare. Founded in 1961 with offices in Chicago, Washington D.C., Brussels, Singapore, and other locations, HIMSS represents more than 20,000 individual members and over 350 corporate members that collectively represent organizations employing millions of people. HIMSS frames and leads healthcare public policy and industry practices through its advocacy, educational and professional development initiatives designed to promote information and management systems’ contributions to ensuring quality patient care. Visit www.himss.org for more information.
About CHIME
The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) was formed with the dual objectives of serving the professional development needs of healthcare CIOs and advocating the more effective use of information management within healthcare. CHIME's events and activities were designed to reflect that purpose, including CIO-oriented surveys, education programs, and networking activities. With membership of more than 1,300 CIOs, CHIME has established itself as the premier organization serving the needs of healthcare CIOs. CHIME's educational initiatives are supported by the CHIME Foundation, a group of 67 providers of healthcare IS products and services. To learn more about CHIME and the CHIME Foundation, see www.cio-chime.org.
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