Health Records Go Electronic
South Dakota Joins National Demonstration
By: AARP South Dakota | Source: AARP.org
South Dakota is one of 12 areas chosen for a major Medicare project to encourage the use of certified electronic health records (EHRs). The five-year, first-of-its-kind project is expected to improve the quality of care provided to an estimated 3.6 million Americans. US Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt made the Announcement in Sioux Falls June 20th.
As part of the five-year demonstration project, financial incentives will be provided to as many as 1,200 primary care physician practices in the selected areas that use certified EHRs to improve quality of health care.
AARP supports advancing the use of information technology (IT) to improve the health care system. Health IT and EHRs have enormous potential to improve the safety effectiveness and efficiency of care, and is an essential building block for health reform.
Health IT can:
•Reduce medical errors
•Provide access to comprehensive medical records anytime anywhere, including emergencies when people cannot speak for themselves
•Reduce the need for duplicate tests and procedures
•Eliminate redundant paperwork burdens and the need for patients to repeat medical history
•Engage consumers in managing their own care
•Allow caregivers to better coordinate care
AARP South Dakota Associate State Director for Advocacy Sam Wilson serves on the South Dakota Department of Health's E-health Collaborative, which was recognized during the announcement for developing a comprehensive plan to transform the way electronic health records are shared between medical providers and health care systems.
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