Ambulatory surgery centers׳ use of Health Information Technology. Issue 2 (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wiggins, Carla; Peterson, Teri; Moss, Cory
• Is Part Of: Health policy and technology. Volume 4:Issue 2(2015)
• Page Start: 100
• Page End: 106
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: EMR -- HER -- Health Information Technology -- Ambulatory surgery center; Medical policy -- Periodicals; Medical technology -- Periodicals; Medical policy; Medical technology; Health Policy -- Periodicals; Biomedical Technology -- Periodicals; Technology Assessment, Biomedical -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 362.105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.hlpt.2015.02.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-8837

Abstract

Abstract: Purpose: The use of Health Information Technology is imperative to timely and quality patient care. Despite the projected benefits of information technology and the high frequency of physician office hand-offs to ambulatory surgery centers, it is not clear how, or even if, information technology is used internally by ambulatory surgery centers, or if it is used as patients transition to and from ambulatory surgery settings. Methodology: An online survey of Wisconsin׳s ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) explored the use of Health Information Technology and Electronic Health Records to ascertain the extent of their use within the surgery centers and externally as patients move between outpatient settings. Results: Approximately 47% of the participating surgery centers reported no use of Electronic Health Records. Thirty-Seven percent reported no access to, and no use of, any core Electronic Health Record functions. Conclusions: The use of Health Information Technology both within and between ambulatory surgery centers in Wisconsin is low. This supports other studies that find the adoption of Electronic Health Records in surgery practices tends to be lower than in other specialties. This low adoption rate might be attributed to on-going problems and concerns with interoperability and with the high cost to practices in terms of financial investment and initial drops in productivity. Highlights: ASCs report low use of EHR and HIT internally, and between outpatient settings. No apparent relationship between CEO׳s EHR expectations and beliefs and use of EHR. Most ASCs continue to rely on fax to share patient information between providers. ASCs report low use of CPOE and electronic prescribing. Most ASCs continue to document patient care in paper medical records, not in an EHR.