Study casts doubt on link between EHRs, quality of care

After reviewing data from more than 250,000 patient visit between 2005 and 2007, Stanford researchers have concluded that electronic health records may not improve patient care (Source: “Stanford Study Questions Benefits of EHR Applications,” eWeek, Jan. 31, 2011).

The study, which was published in the “Archives of Internal Medicine” found that electronic records were only helpful when providing diet consultation.

"We need to be more realistic about what to expect from electronic health records," said Dr. Randall S. Stafford, associate professor of medicine at the Stanford Prevention Research Center in California, and a co-author of the study. "I believe this study suggests that it is naive to believe that the simple presence of an electronic health record or even these systems with more advanced functionality will by themselves change the quality of care."

Industry experts question the study, pointing out advances that have been made in EHR systems in the past four years since the data in the study was collected.