In the '80s, health care savings were projected to be in the $20 billion range annually if there was communal access to patient records. That number in 2005 was increased to $81 billion in an article in Health Affairs written by Hillestad, et al. In January, 2009, by David Goldman's CNNMoney.com article, Obama's big idea: Digital Health Records explained the implementation of such a program would be $100 billion and the savings annually, estimated by the Administration, would be $200-300 billion.
Everyone supporting or writing about this sees it the same way - savings are a result of eliminating redundant testing. Lately it seems they are also telling us lives will be saved because the implementation of EHRs will provide information that will keep medical staff from pursuing the wrong course of treatment.
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Saving lives and money sounds great. But remember, we are speaking of the future - the unknown - not today's reality. I remember as the 21st century arrived I saw an advertisement featuring the movie star Samuel L. Jackson and he asked the big question, "Where are the flying cars? They promised flying cars." He was right, they did and we're still sitting in traffic on the ground. Getting EHRs off the ground may be equally difficult.
Wayne Webster is a consultant in Medical Imaging Business Development.
You can send your comments or questions to W.Webster@Proactics.net.
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