A Medical Records Institute survey of electronic health record trends shows that most organizations that implement electronic records are prompted to do so in order to improve efficiencies.

The survey was the sixth annual one that the Medical Records Institute undertook. It was taken before, during and after TEPR 2004 (Toward an Electronic Medical Record), a conference sponsored by the Medical Records Institute. The survey included a total of 808 responses from CEOs, CIOs, VPs, medical directors and others. It posed 16 questions and included comparisons with previous year's surveys as well as the total number of respondents and margins of error.

Survey results show that the major motivating factors in a company's decision to implement the EHR are the need to improve workflow efficiency, and the need to improve the quality of care. The largest mobile/wireless devices used for healthcare applications is still the laptop computer. However, that number has decreased since previous years, and the use of cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and Tablet PCs is on the rise.

The fact that for the past two years the motivator for EHR implementation ha been workflow efficiencies compared to previous years when it had been sharing information is an indication of the greater sophistication of the healthcare industry, said Jeff Blair, vice president of the Medical Records Institute."It shows that providers are looking at more than automating," he said, and recognizing all the benefits that can be accrued from an EHR. "It's an indication that the industry is maturing."

Of course with every change a company implements there will be concerns and barriers. The largest barrier companies are encountering today is a lack in funding and an inability to find an EHR solution at an affordable price. Although the number has decreased from the previous years, the largest concern reported was a lack of security of confidential information when sending and receiving information. On the rise from previous years was a concern for interference with medical devices, which rose from 20 percent in 2002 to 27.1 percent in 2004.

The lack of adequate funding remains the No. 1 barrier, Blair acknowledged. "but, that's starting to decline." In his observation, funding is becoming more available, he said, and, as it does, selecting, purchasing and implementation are becoming more important to healthcare providers.

The Medical Records Institute's stated mission is to serve as the global forum for healthcare consumers, providers, and technology vendors on the journey to improve quality of care through advanced information technology solutions.