Go eletronic or get left behind

Implications: In an era of high speed information, it is unfortunate that our heatlhcare providers are lagging behind consumer demand. The transition from paper to eletronic is inevitable for all providers.

Analysis: As more and more consumers switch to high deductible/Consumer Driven Health Plans, the need to access information will increase. As a matter of fact, 13 states have already adopted statewide health electronic records networks systems. Consumers are able to comparison shop, acess personal medical records, research treatments, etc...The majority of other states are in various stages of designing legislation. It is imperitive that any provider who has plans to stay competitive transition over to electronic records as quickly as possible. I don't think a "hybrid" system is helpful. It just prolongs the process. My experience has been that any time an organization is stressed with a major shift in business practices, that the best results come from agressive and decisive action, not from a slow transition.