Although pediatric hospitals have a high EHR adoption rate, the majority of them report that the EHR systems do not include the pediatric-oriented features they need.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association surveyed 100 general acute-care children's hospitals nationwide. The study found that adoption rates across the departments and between hospitals varied from 37 percent to 87 percent. However, nearly 60 percent reported having EHRs that did not contain all the features necessary for high-quality care.
When asked why, the majority of hospitals answered that the meaningful use program had no impact on the cost of adopting pediatric-oriented features. Approximately 26 percent said they have delayed or dropped plans to incorporate those features because of the program, according to the study.
EHRs suitable for pediatric care differ substantially from EHRs caring for adults. They include computerized physician order entry systems for order sets for common pediatric conditions and capabilities and clinical decision support tools for pediatric care. Displays of data such as vital sign measurements, growth measurements and lab results should include reference ranges based on a patient's age as well as other developmental measures, according to the study.
"The meaningful use incentive program is failing to promote, and in some cases delaying, uptake of pediatric-oriented features," the authors wrote.