Although there are 75 operational regional health information organizations in the U.S., only 13 meet basic criteria for the meaningful use of electronic health records, according to a study published Monday in the Annals of Internal Medicine, HealthLeaders Media reports.
Under the 2009 federal economic stimulus package, health care providers who demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHRs can qualify for Medicaid and Medicare incentive payments.
The study, conducted by Harvard University researchers, relies on data from 2009. The study marks the third time that the researchers have examined the topic and found similar results.
Key Findings
Of the 75 RHIOs examined in the study, none met criteria for the comprehensive exchange of health data needed to improve health care quality and efficiency.
Julia Adler-Milstein, lead author of the report, said the study demonstrates that the U.S. remains in "an early stage of readiness in terms of the robust exchange of health information."
The report also noted that financial challenges could be hindering the operation of RHIOs. Researchers found that only 25 of the 75 operational RHIOs were financially viable. Of the 13 RHIOs that could meet the meaningful use requirements, only six were financially viable, according to the report.
Conclusions
According to Adler-Milstein, some states might find that RHIOs still serve as a good starting point to build their data exchanges because RHIOs already have a framework for sharing data.
She added that states should adopt policies and incentives to encourage RHIOs to expand their services and the type of data exchanges they support (Tocknell, HealthLeaders Media, 5/17).