Health IT: Reducing Manila Folders, Improving Patient Care

March 17, 2009 written by John Watson

This article in the LA Times looks into the current state of Health IT in the U.S. When implemented, the use of information technology in doctors’ offices and hospitals improves patient care and reduces costs.  A win-win situation if you ask me. 

As the story reports, Health IT has the ability to “cut medical errors, avoid unnecessary tests and procedures and identify better treatments.” The number of record keeping manila folders decreases, and the efficiency and the quality of patient care increases: “In Hawaii, Kaiser Permanente reported a 26% drop in patient visits after the hospital giant implemented an electronic record system that allows doctors and patients to communicate more easily by telephone or e-mail for routine contacts.”

The federal stimulus package contains incentives for using electronic records and the Department of Health and Human Services is working to create a set of standards for electronic health records by the end of the year.