Electronic health records and staffing shortages are on the minds of hospital executives, physicians and nurses, according to a recent poll conducted by healthcare technology company Picis.
Picis surveyed more than 300 physicians, nurses and hospital administrators to gain further insight into the most critical factors affecting today's healthcare climate.
The results indicate physician and nurse recruiting and retention is the most pressing concern for hospitals during the next 12 months - ranking higher than both the economy and Medicaid/Medicare reimbursement cuts.
The United States is currently facing a shortage of 400,000 nurses and, as cited in a 2006 report titled "Physician Supply and Demand: Projections to 2020," the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration has projected a shortfall of 55,100 physicians by 2020.
According to Picis' poll, 47 percent of respondents believe technology systems that allow staff to spend less time on administrative tasks will help staffing recruitment and retention.
"Today's caregivers are under intense pressure and are forced to do even more - more regulations, more paperwork, more direct patient care - but without the manpower to support it," said Lorna Prutzman, a 20-year registered nurse and director of emergency/stroke services at University of Colorado Hospital in Denver. "These poll results emphasize the critical need for hospital systems that will improve quality of work life for both physicians and nurses."
The rollout of electronic health records ranks as the second biggest concern, raising additional questions about how the role of government-funded EHR initiatives and joint ventures from companies such as Google and Microsoft will affect the future of hospital technology systems.
Nearly 90 percent of poll respondents believe EHRs are going to revolutionize the healthcare system, but the majority predicts it will be at least 10 years before EHRs are used in a majority of U.S. hospitals. Additionally, 55 percent said patients would be more likely to visit a hospital using an EHR system, versus one that uses paper systems.
Close to 90 percent said government-run EHRs are the answer, but many expressed interest in joint funding from the private and public sectors.
The live poll was conducted June 15-18 at the annual Picis Exchange customer conference in Palm Beach, Fla., among 325 attendees who are employed as physicians, nurses, IT technicians or hospital administrators in hospitals and health centers across North America.
"Working closely with the people who serve on the 'front lines' of healthcare today - from ED physicians to operating room nurses to hospital CIOs and business managers - has afforded us tremendous insight into the challenges they face, and we took this opportunity to further probe into the issues that are really keeping these folks awake at night," said Todd Cozzens, CEO and vice chairman of Picis.
What is keeping your executives and clinicians awake at night. Send your comments to Editor Bernie Monegain at bernie.monegain@medtechpublishing.com.