Canada reaps major benefits from using EHR systems

As some U.S. lawmakers still remain skeptical about the long-term value of federal health IT investments, a PricewaterhouseCoopers report on EHRs in Canadian physician practices pegs the efficiency and patient benefit value at about $1.3 billion since 2006.

Based on a review of existing literature and primary research, the PwC study found that EHRs have saved Canadian primary care and office-based specialists about $800 million in administrative efficiencies, with staff time and resources freed-up from paperwork.

Reductions in duplicate tests and adverse drug events were estimated to save about $584 million, along with improved provider-to-provider and provider-to-patient communications and expanded preventative care from EHR population health tools.

Most physicians surveyed did in fact cite significant benefits...