AHA - Forward Momentum

Hospital Use of Information Technology
American Hospital Association - October 2005

While 9 out of 10 hospitals are using or considering adopting health information technology (IT) for clinical uses, most hospitals, especially small or rural hospitals, cite cost as a considerable barrier to broader implementation, according to a new study released by the American Hospital Association (AHA).

The results from more than 900 hospitals show that IT use falls along a broad spectrum, ranging from hospitals just getting started to hospitals using sophisticated IT systems.

While most are still in the beginning stages, the survey shows hospitals are making investments in IT, in large part, to make gains in the safety and quality of patient care. Some of the technologies and systems hospitals are using include bar coding devices, computerized physician order entry and electronic health records (EHR).

Press Release

report