In this issue of Healthcare World, we devote several columns to discuss electronic medical records (EMR), electronic health records (EHR) and other aspects health information technology (HIT).

Although these acronyms have been around for a few years, the difference between EHR and EMR is still a source of confusion. To clarify, according to a 2006 white paper from Healthcare and Information and Management Systems Society, “an EMR is the legal record created in hospitals and ambulatory environments that is the source of data for the EHR.”  In other words, the EMR is a record of what happens to a patient in the hospital, and the EHR is a collective record of the patient’s medical history and episodes of care.

However, HIT goes beyond patient records; it also involves using technology in business processes, customer service, safety and quality, work force management, and public health and safety. Hospitals & Health Network magazine, the flagship publication of the American Hospitals Association, used these five areas as the basis of evaluation for the ninth-annual Most Wired Survey and Benchmarking Survey, and it’s list of the nation’s 100 Most Wired Hospitals.

While being named Most Wired is a considerable achievement, Avera Health, Hackensack University Medical Center, MeritCare Health Systems, Partners Healthcare, Sharp HealthCare and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center made the list all nine years.

Hospitals & Health Network outlines the leaders’ practices. The most-wired hospitals invest in technologies that help improve patient flow, as well as workflow, such as electronic task lists and physician orders. Many hospitals look at HIT as a discipline, and execute it with lean or Six Sigma methods. Leading hospitals also recognize the importance of measuring IT improvements to gauge process.

They also lead in electronic ordering and bedside medication; coupled with electronic surveillance systems and smart alerts, the most-wired hospitals are delivering higher levels of care.

While some hospitals, especially small- to mid-sized ones, may drag their heels on implementing HIT due to cost or time constraints, I predict it will not be too long before HIT is widespread. With technology, either keep up or get left behind. Where does your organization stand?