Wisconsin again leads the nation, this time for the use of Electronic Health Records (EHR), which improves the quality of care for patients. The Office of National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) ranks Wisconsin second in the nation in the use of EHR, noting that 92 percent of all office-based physicians in the state have adopted or demonstrated meaningful use of EHR. Nationwide, 60 percent of all office-based physicians have demonstrated meaningful use of the technology.
This is the third time in three months Wisconsin has ranked high in health care. Last month, according to the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), Wisconsin was ranked the top state in the nation for health care, with the highest overall health care quality score. In July, Wisconsin’s critical access hospitals (CAHs) were named best in the nation by the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for outstanding quality performance.
Gov. Scott Walker has proclaimed October 2-6 as Health IT Week, in recognition of the advantages of investing in and using technology to improve the quality of health care in Wisconsin.
“What this means for patients is better coordination and quality of care, in addition to better outcomes in the delivery of health care,” according to Department of Health Services Secretary Linda Seemeyer. “We’re proud of all health care professionals at our hospitals, clinics, and health care facilities who recognize the value of EHR in their efforts to provide exceptional care to patients across the state.”
WHA President/CEO Eric Borgerding said Wisconsin hospitals and health systems were early adopters of EHR, which has accelerated their ability to improve the quality and safety of patient care.
“Our hospitals’ and health systems’ EHR investments have made it possible for providers to access accurate, up-to-date and complete information about patients at the point of care,” Borgerding said. “EHR also facilitates the sharing of information among health care professionals and directly with the patient in a secure environment.”
For more information visit: www.healthitweek.org.