The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released a report on their finding from a survey focusing on office based physicians and the EHR Incentive program. The report describes trends in EHR adoption through 2011 and provides information on the readiness of physicians to meet parts of meaningful use objectives. The data was compiled from mail surveys through National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) with the findings summarized by states.
Here is a rundown of key findings
- In 2011, 57% of office-based physicians used electronic medical record/electronic health record (EMR/EHR) systems, with use by state ranging from 40% in Louisiana to 84% in North Dakota.
- About one-third of physicians (34%) reported having a system that met the criteria for a basic system, ranging by state from 16% in New Jersey to 61% in Minnesota.
- In 2011, 52% of physicians reported intending to apply for meaningful use incentives, up from 41% in 2010.
- In 2010, 43% of physicians planning to apply for meaningful use incentives had computerized systems that would allow them to meet eight Stage 1 Core Set objectives, with percentages by state ranging from 26% in Texas to 70% in Wisconsin.
Other survey results show adoption of EHR by office-based physicians has increased. Survey information from 2001-2009 compared to survey information from 2010-2011 show EHR usage has increased 12% from 2001 to 2010 and 18% from 2001 to 2011. The survey also shows 57% of office-based physician reported using EMR/EHR systems.
The top 5 states for physicians currently using an EHR and coming in above the National average of 57% are: ND 84.4%, UT 80.7%, MN 78.1%, WI 76.1%, WA 75.8. The top 5 states that currently have the most physicians planning to apply for for EHR Incentive money are: MI 51.3%, AK 50.3%, KS 50.3%, KY 51.0%, AL 49.6%
And overall, physicians with intentions to apply for the EHR incentive program is up 26% from 2010. The national average is 41% and four states, Alaska, New York, North Dakota, West Virginia along with Washington, DC fall below that average.
For more information you can read the survey report or the findings summary.
