HealthBlawg

David Harlow's Health Care Law Blog

New study: EHRs really do save money over time

OK, so there’s a study to back up any statement you may want to make about EHRs. 

Last week, it was: EHRs don’t improve outcomes.  This week, it’s: EHRs save money over time.  This week’s study was based on a much smaller sample size, and the major cost savings was on staff time spent pulling charts.  Both studies were limited to ambulatory care settings.

— David Harlow 

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Comments

  1. These two studies do not contradict each other. From a provider’s point of view, the savings from an EHR come entirely from the administrative side (chart pulls, etc.). From the public interest and payer point of view, the savings come almost entirely from the medical side (reduced ADEs, fewer duplicate tests, etc.).

    One study questions the medical savings, the other affirms the admin savings. No contradiction between them.

Trackbacks

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