Quality Matters: September 2005 Issue
<p><br><br>Welcome to <a href=" http://www.commonwealthfund.org/cnlib/pub/enews_clickthrough.htm?enews_… Matters,</a> a monthly roundup of news and opinion on quality measurement, information technology, quality improvement initiatives, and policy innovations.<br><br><strong>Issue of the Month: Who Has $400 Billion to Build a National Health Information Network?</strong><br />
A national health information network (NHIN) will cost almost $400 billion dollars over five years to build, according to a recent study. But the savings hospitals, physicians, and insurers achieve through operating efficiencies could substantially offset, if not cover, the expense. Given that, who should foot the upfront costs? <a href=" http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_… Briefs</strong><br />
Selected stories on patient safety, health care quality, and information technology from the professional literature. <a href=" http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_… Study: Front-Line Physicians and Their Patients Reap Benefits from EHRs</strong><br />
A rural physician practice successfully adopted electronic health records (EHRs) in 1993 as part of its strategy to improve clinical quality of care and reduce overhead costs. The system has supported the Colorado group's recent move toward population health management and provided a positive return on investment within two years of implementation. <a href="/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=294918#casestudy">More</a><br><br><a href=" http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_… Publications of Note</a><br><br><a href=" http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_… Editorials of Note</a></p>