A recent study conducted by researchers from the University of Michigan found that Meaningful Use stage 1 is likely changing how hospitals sequence EHR adoption. Using data from the 2008 American Hospital Association (AHA) Information Technology (IT) Supplement data, the researchers calculated the adoption rates of individual EHR functions, along with Loevinger homogeneity (H) coefficients, to assess the sequence of EHR adoption across hospitals. They then compared the adoption rates and Loevinger H coefficients for hospitals of different types to assess whether stage 1 meaningful use functions are those adopted early in the sequence.
Key Findings
After examining how 2,794 general acute care non-federal hospitals adopted different EHR functions, the researchers concluded there is a common sequence of EHR adoption across hospitals altered by MU stage 1. The study found:
- Patient demographic and ancillary results functions are consistently adopted first, while physician notes, clinical reminders, and guidelines are adopted last.
- Small hospitals exhibited greater homogeneity than larger hospitals.
- Rural hospitals and non-teaching hospitals exhibited greater homogeneity than urban and teaching hospitals. EHR functions emphasized in stage 1 meaningful use are spread throughout the scale.
- Stage 1 meaningful use is likely changing how hospitals sequence EHR adoption—in particular, by moving clinical guidelines and medication computerized provider order entry ahead in sequence
“[M]any functions emphasized in Stage 1 Meaningful Use are typically adopted later in the sequence, in particular clinical guidelines and medication CPOE, suggesting that Meaningful Use may change the planned prioritization of EHR function adoption. These findings will help policymakers anticipate the impact of meaningful use, and how it may vary for different types of hospitals,” ,” researchers Julia Adler-Milstein, Jordan Everson and Shoou-Yih D Lee said (Hirsch, FierceEMR, 5/27).
To learn more, visit the abstract published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association here.
