While more than one-third of home healthcare and nursing home organizations said they expect the government’s economic stimulus package to increase use of healthcare information technology, 52 percent said the stimulus package will have little or no impact on their businesses, according to a recent survey by IVANS, Inc.
“Home health and nursing home care is expected to be one of the fastest growing provider segments over the next several years,” said Clare DeNicola, IVANS' president and CEO.
According to the survey, nearly 70 percent of home healthcare and nursing home organizations say electronic health records will have a positive impact on their businesses, and 56 percent have begun or plan to implement EHRs within the next year. Other key technology priorities for long-term care facilities include implementation of wireless networks, solutions to provide electronic documentation at point of care and business continuity planning, the survey shows.
“IVANS' analysis reveals that while providers are optimistic about reform’s ability to improve patient outcomes, budget concerns, understaffing and the lack of clarity in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act regarding stimulus funding for long-term care has them concerned,” said DeNicola.
More than 70 percent of respondents said they have no plans to participate in a health information exchange. Experience with failed efforts in the past, lack of an immediate driver to move forward, and no standards were listed as barriers to the implementation of HIEs.
The survey, conducted by IVANS among 500 healthcare providers in May 2009, drew responses from more than 300 home healthcare and nursing home organizations.