U.K. hospitals unprepared for EHR implementation costs

Hospitals in the United Kingdom don't always take into account the full costs of implementing new EHR systems and should be better prepared if they are to maximize the benefits, according to research published online in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association.

Despite the existence of EHRs in U.K. primary care for several decades, hospitals remain slow to adopt the systems due to high costs, according to the study.

Researchers evaluated the implementation of three systems in 12 diverse healthcare organizations--all at different stages in the implementation process. They also carried out 41 semi-structured interviews with 36 hospital staff, members of the local implementation team and those involved in the implementation at the national level between February 2009 and January 2011.

The analysis showed that implementation proceeded at a much slower pace than expected.

The identified four overarching cost categories associated with implementing an EHR system: infrastructure; personnel; estates and facilities; and other (such as training materials)

Out of the four main categories of associated expenditure identified, hospitals were most likely cut back on training and implementation costs.

"With cost considered one of the most significant barriers, it is important for hospitals and governments to be clear from the outset of the major cost categories involved and the factors that may impact on these costs," concluded the authors.

To read the full study, go here.