Any effective health IT system, such as e-prescribing software, will contribute to the $16 billion in healthcare savings over the next decade, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service (HHS).
Despite a proliferation of health IT systems, stimulated by financial advantages provided by the Affordable Care Act and HIPAA, studies have found that medical facilities still lose 12 cents out of every dollar in administrative costs. This money should instead be devoted toward ensuring better patient care through more comprehensive IT programs and more face-to-face time with patients, which HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says these systems, such as electronic medical records software, provide to patients.
Recent savings have been the result of new standards involving electronic fund transfers with insurance companies, as mandated by the Affordable Care Act. These provisions alone will save the healthcare industry $4.5 billion over 10 years in reduced administrative costs.
"As a nurse, I know the importance of giving health care professionals time to focus on patient care," CMS acting administrator Marilyn Tavenner said in a press release. "The less time a physician has to spend on paperwork is that much more time that can be devoted to patient care. Having standardized procedures across the health care industry can only lead to lower costs and greater efficiencies all around."
As more healthcare facilities begin to embrace electronic prescribing software and other health IT systems that reduce the time a physician devotes to paperwork, overall patient health is expected to improve. For a healthcare facility, the most difficult part of this process may be deciding which health IT vendor is best equipped to handle its unique needs. One that decision is made, many new programs can be implemented easily due to their user-friendly nature.
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