The push for widespread adoption of the electronic medical record has been viewed as an attractive by-product of health reform — a rather sexy “distraction” amid the legislative haranguing that has slowed the ongoing acceptance of reform as law. Perhaps our president is to blame. The electronic health record has an aura about it that sounds compelling at first, but its allure to many organizations considering its incorporation morphs into increasing trepidation as that day draws nearer.

For the Obama administration — assuming reelection — that “day” is the year 2014. The lofty goal of the creation of an e-record for every American by that time doesn’t seem to be taking into account the costs inherent in its smooth transition. That transition includes everything from logistical commitments to hidden costs that have yet to be accounted for, usually because of poor planning in the race to the early adoption for many health systems. For many of those systems, the reality of medical errors as a result of snafus in massive roll-outs is setting in. | LINK

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