Tech Companies Push to Digitize Patients’ Records

"On one proposal for health care reform at least, there is a rare bipartisan consensus: the push to computerize patient records…So even as the Obama administration and Congress struggle with broad health policy legislation, the technology industry is pursuing the opportunity in digital health records as never before. Although most of the government money will not start flowing until next year, the companies hoping to get their share include technology giants…big telecommunications…[and] smaller health technology specialists…To proponents, electronic health records, when thoughtfully set up and deployed, are a modern tool to improve care and help curb costs. They hold a patient’s health history, medications, lab tests and, when connected to databases, treatment guidelines. The potential benefits include fewer unnecessary tests, reduced medical errors and better care so patients are less likely to require costly treatment in hospitals. But doctors in small offices have not moved to digital records, mainly because today’s technology is costly and complex."