Post date: Jul 21, 2012 5:03:34 PM
The National Center for Health Statistics updated its 2011 survey on Physician Adoption of Electronic Health Record Systems and Physicians Practice released its 2012 Technology Survey that focuses primarily on EHR adoption. These EHR surveys are relevant to e-prescribing since Surescripts 2011 National Progress Report on E-prescribing and Interoperable Healthcare shows that 82% of active prescribers use an EHR. Now that 58% of office-based prescribers can route prescriptions electronically, going the last mile to reach a critical mass depends on further deployment of EHR.
The two surveys have slightly different results on adoption. Physicians Practice reports 28% of respondents do not have an EHR. NCHS reports 45% have not adopted an EHR. However, adjusting the NCHS data to PP's "do not have an EHR" shows that 32% have "no intent to purchase within 12 months" and 20% "undecided on purchasing within 12 months" or 45% X (20%+32%) equals 23%. These surveys show that 1 in 4 respondents (don't know if they solely represent their organizations) will not be implementing an EHR in coming year despite the CMS penalties. The data doesn't say if these organizations are using standalone e-prescribing. However, as the 2011 data shows standalone e-prescribing has decreased substantially since 2008 (62%). These numbers are consistent with a 2010 Medscape online survey on e-prescribing adoption that found 20% of practice/hospitals "has no plans to use an e-prescribing system" (albeit only 67 responses).
Whether 75% adoption is sufficient to reach critical mass for e-prescribing should be the question being asked. If CMS penalties haven't swayed physicians to adopt, then the economic penalty may not be a sufficient motivation. While Physicians Practice survey did not provide an average cost to implement and maintain, they reported that majority are paying between $250 and $500 per month.
The surveys are a worthwhile read and the conversation should be a) what level of adoption to truly benefit from e-prescribing and b) what will it take to get there.