Smaller practices not implementing all EHR features

In a new review of medical home processes by small to medium-size physician practices, the use of electronic medical record (EMR) systems by those practices appeared to be on the low side when compared with larger practices or those owned by hospitals or health plans, according to a new study in the current Health Affairs. The study surveyed 1,344 small and medium-sized physician practices with one to 19 physicians.

According to the study, about 17 percent of practices with one or two physicians had EMRs, compared with 38 percent of practices with three to seven physicians, 45 percent of practices with eight to 12 physicians, and 39 percent of practices with 13 to 19 physicians.

In addition, less than 19 percent of smaller practices had e-prescribing tools, compared with 28 percent of the entire group; and 6 percent of smaller practices had electronic disease registries, while 34 percent of practices with 13 to 19 doctors used them to communicate with patients who needed preventive or chronic care. Overall, the majority of physicians communicated online with patients in less than 9 percent of the practices.