Tennessee seeks funds for open-source EHR technology

The Tennessee Department of Health wants to follow in the Department of Veterans Affairs footsteps and replace its aging computer system with open-source technology.

According to an article published in The Tennessean, it would take several years to make the switch and the agency has asked for nearly $9 million in its 2013-2014 budget to cover the first year. Tennessee uses a 20-year-old patient tracking billing management system and limitations include an inability to create or maintain EHRs that can be shared across local health departments.

"It was a state-of-the-art system when it was put in place in 1992. We've spent a lot of money to keep it up and running and keep it functional, but it's getting harder and harder to tape it together," John Dreyzehner, the state's health commissioner, told the newspaper. He described the existing system as "not efficient and not effective" and compared the upfront cost with building the first mile of a new interstate highway.

Gov. Bill Haslam has questioned the department’s budget request, because it covers 27 employees to implement and operate the system, according to The Tennessean. The state health agency also is asking for $512,000 to develop a statewide electronic case-management system for medical examiners, a process that still relies on paper records.