United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office Accounting and Information Management Division author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 1994-05-06 monographic deposited born digital GA 1.13:T-AIMD-94-117 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-T-AIMD-94-117 P0b002ee1803a1f23 f:tai94117 DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-24 GAOREPORTS-T-AIMD-94-117 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-T-AIMD-94-117 T-AIMD-94-117 Medical records Computerized information systems Medical information systems Health services administration Health care cost control Patient care services Reporting requirements Records management Systems design Medical research Health Security Act DOD Composite Health Care System National Health Care Reform Initiative Clinton Health Care Plan CHCS Testimony AIMD In 1994, health care costs are expected to reach more than $1 trillion--one-seventh of the total U.S. economy. This level of spending, its continuing growth, and the lack of standardized health care information on the types of care being provided and measurable results, raise concern about whether the United States is getting full value for each health care dollar spent. Information systems technology offers health care providers many opportunities to improve care, control costs, and report results. However, most health care providers today maintain medical records in manual, paper-intensive systems that are difficult to retrieve information from and require huge amounts of physical storage space. The barriers to automating medical records and developing a systems framework to support health care reform include the lack of standards, cost of automation, security and privacy issues arising from the use of automated medical information, and the reluctance of health care professionals to use new technology. Any health care reform proposal will greatly benefit from access to timely information that can be used to manage and oversee the program. Strong federal leadership will be required to ensure that adequate steps are taken to design, develop, and implement a systems framework that supports a nationwide program. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-T-AIMD-94-117/html/GAOREPORTS-T-AIMD-94-117.htm GAO/T-AIMD-94-117 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-T-AIMD-94-117 Testimony GAO/T-AIMD-94-117; Health Care: Benefits and Barriers to Automated Medical Records; Medical records Computerized information systems Medical information systems Health services administration Health care cost control Patient care services Reporting requirements Records management Systems design Medical research Health Security Act DOD Composite Health Care System National Health Care Reform Initiative Clinton Health Care Plan CHCS