Retailers Use Health Information Technology
Using Technology to Drive Quality Care
Retailers are embracing the use of electronic medical records in retail health clinics. These records help reduce waiting room time for repeat patients, anonymously track illness trends, allow for easier portability of records and decrease medical errors.
Retail pharmacies and physicians are also partnering successfully to use e-prescriptions. Much like electronic medical records, this technology is easier for patients, reduces errors and decreases fraud.
Mass merchants are also merchandising quality, affordable and easy-to-install health information technology software programs to physicians in small medical practices.
Policy considerations
The economic stimulus package authorized important new health information technology programs. Congress should closely monitor the implementation of these programs to:
· Gauge whether the privacy provisions are working as intended.
· Be sure that the programs do not create a barrier that prevents clinics and physicians from embracing health information technology.