HIMSS Analytics: Data Show that Meaningful Use is Affecting EHR Adoption

A new analysis of HIMSS Analytics’ Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model (EMRAM^SM) scale reveals that in the five most recent quarters for which data is available, beginning with the first incentive payments from the Medicare and Medicaid Incentive Program in 2011, U.S. acute care hospitals achieving EMRAM Stage 5 or Stage 6 have increased by more than 80 percent; Stage 7 has increased 63 percent. Hospitals at Stages 0, 1, 2, and 3 have seen decreases of at least 10 percent.  (See graph, below.)

The HIMSS Analytics EMRAM scale is recognized as the standard to measure acute care hospitals’ adoption of health information technology (IT). 

“This data suggests that the HITECH portion of the 2009 stimulus law is achieving its intended result of encouraging increased implementation and meaningful use of electronic health records among hospitals,” said John Hoyt, FACHE, FHIMSS, Executive Vice President of HIMSS Analytics.  “Hospitals are lag indicators of economic conditions. This information indicates that despite the recession, hospitals are continuing to see the value of investing in health IT to improve the quality, safety and effectiveness of patient care.”

During the same time period, very few hospitals in Canada have moved up the EMRAM scale.  Canada does not have an equivalent stimulus program.

“Facilities moving to the upper stages of EMRAM are laying the groundwork for interoperability to occur,” explained Hoyt.  “Stage 6 and Stage 7 hospitals are fully prepared for provider-to-provider or facility-to-facility interoperability, as well as increasing the provider or facility’s ability to provide electronic health data reporting to public health and immunization registries to support population health review and syndromic surveillance.”

As of November 30, 2012, more than 340,000 eligible professionals (EPs), eligible hospitals (EHs), and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) had registered for the EHR Incentive Program; 176,561 providers have already received checks totaling $9.3 billion in incentive payments for meeting Stage 1 of meaningful use. 

Updated data to reflect the quarter ending December, 2012 will be released later this month and is expected to show even greater EHR implementation rates. 

About HIMSS Analytics

HIMSS Analytics is a wholly owned not-for-profit subsidiary of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society. The company collects and analyzes healthcare data related to IT processes and environments, products, IS department composition and costs, IS department management metrics, healthcare trends and purchase-related decisions. HIMSS Analytics delivers high quality data and analytical expertise to healthcare delivery organizations, healthcare IT companies, state governments, financial companies, pharmaceutical companies, and consulting firms. Visit www.himssanalytics.org for more information.