Accelerating the Adoption of Clinical IT Among the Healthcare Providers in US

Publication Date: November 2006

Publisher: Pardee Rand Graduate School

Author(s): Katya Fonkych

Research Area: Health

Type: Report

Abstract:

Healthcare and information technology experts argue that nationwide adoption of advanced clinical health information technology (HIT) is an essential tool to transform U.S. healthcare into a system that delivers consistently high quality of care with greater efficiency for more patients. This dissertation analyzes the process of adopting HIT and derives policy strategies that could promote nationwide adoption. It assesses the current status and dynamics of HIT adoption in the United States, provides an economic analysis of adoption decisions in hospitals and healthcare systems, and analyzes market failures that stymie its diffusion and require policy interventions. Finally, it evaluates HIT adoption in U.S. hospitals to identify facilities that are disadvantaged or least likely to adopt. The author calls for greater involvement of the government and for Medicare reimbursement models that would reward the higher quality and efficiency achieved through HIT.