In my previous post about the benefits of inter operable EMR software, Russ Reese left the following comment about the benefits of CPOE and whether CPOE will make it into the ARRA EMR stimulus requirements or not. Plus, he ends with an interesting thought about the EMR stimulus program. I thought it was interesting and more people should read it and comment.

Here is a link to a study that showed some positive results for EMR use – http://jamia.bmj.com/content/17/1/78.full

“Conclusions: A basic CPOE system in a community setting was associated with a significant reduction in medication errors of most types and severity levels.”

Note, this study is about CPOE which is not featured in all EMRs and I think that HIMMS has even been trying to get HHS to back off on making CPOE required for the stimulus $.

But here is real data that shows real benefits. This study is about error rates and not dollars – but if errors are reduced then lawsuits are reduced and hopefully malpractice insurance premiums follow.

IMO, we never needed the tax payer funded stimulus to begin with. Malpractice insurance companies should offer radically reduced rates to physicians that use CPOE and that would be all the “stimulus” that is needed to move doctors toward EHR.