Dive Brief:
- A new study by The Commonwealth Fund finds that the use of EMRs in federally qualified health centers has grown dramatically in recent years, from 30% in 2009 to 90% in 2013.
- According to the study, the adoption and use of EMRs in FQHCs has grown 133% over the past five years, largely due to targeted federal funding and incentives, reports Health Leaders.
- Health Leaders notes that the survey of 679 senior executives and clinicians at FQHCs found that 85% had advanced health IT capabilities in 2013, meaning that they could perform at least nine of 13 functions such as e-prescribing.
Dive Insight:
FQHCs have undergone a truly remarkable growth in health IT implementation. In fact, they've actually surpassed larger practices and integrated delivery systems. While 93% of FQHCs have the EMR systems in place, only 78% of larger practices and 71% of the delay delivery systems do.
And what's more, the FQHCs are keeping up with meaningful use: Three-quarters of the centers told the Commonwealth Fund that they meet federal criteria, about the same proportion as large, non-physician-owned medical practices and integrated systems.
The key to maintaining this lead will be personnel, the survey respondents said, with 83% saying that physician recruiting will be a problem in the future, and 73% expecting trouble recruiting nurse practitioners and physician assistants, the magazine reported.