How to successfully select and implement electronic health records (EHR) in small ambulatory practice settings

Introduction

The authors in this article contend adoption of EHRs in ambulatory settings has been slower than adoption in large patient settings. The scope of the article was twofold. First to present an overview of the benefits and barriers for small ambulatory practices of 5 practitioners or less. Second, to provide EHR implementation recommendation for small ambulatory settings.

Background

The researchers reviewed a study from 2006 which showed, the rate of use of information systems for clinical care in small physician practices in the U.S. was estimated between 14% - 25%. They also reviewed a national survey of 2,758 physicians from 2006-2007 that showed 4% of those physicians had a fully functional EHR and 13% had a basic system in place. A survey by HIMSS in 2005 found 17% hospitals had a fully integrated EHR