Changes in hospital bond ratings after the transition to a new electronic health record. (20th February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McEvoy, Dustin; Barnett, Michael L; Sittig, Dean F; Aaron, Skye; Mehrotra, Ateev; Wright, Adam
• Is Part Of: Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association. Volume 25:Number 5(2018)
• Page Start: 572
• Page End: 574
• Publication Date: 2018-02-20
• Subjects: electronic health records -- health care financing -- hospitals -- economics -- hospital; Medical informatics -- Periodicals; Information Services -- Periodicals; Medical Informatics -- Periodicals; Médecine -- Informatique -- Périodiques; Informatica; Geneeskunde; Informatique médicale; Computer network resources; Electronic journals; 610.285
• DOI: 10.1093/jamia/ocy007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1067-5027

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To assess the impact of electronic health record (EHR) implementation on hospital finances. Materials and Methods: We analyzed the impact of EHR implementation on bond ratings and net income from service to patients (NISP) at 32 hospitals that recently implemented a new EHR and a set of controls. Results: After implementing an EHR, 7 hospitals had a bond downgrade, 7 had a bond upgrade, and 18 had no changes. There was no difference in the likelihood of bond rating changes or in changes to NISP following EHR go-live when compared to control hospitals. Discussion: Most hospitals in our analysis saw no change in bond ratings following EHR go-live, with no significant differences observed between EHR implementation and control hospitals. There was also no apparent difference in NISP. Conclusions: Implementation of an EHR did not appear to have an impact on bond ratings at the hospitals in our analysis.