Value Realization from Adoption of Integrated Electronic Health Records

While the U.S. government is making a significant investment in supporting the implementation of integrated electronic health records, the benefits of vendor supplied software in community health networks has not yet been clearly demonstrated. Four themes have been identified as not well researched and therefore limiting IT value research in general: (1) co-creation of IT value, (2) IT embededdness, (3) information mindset, and (4) intangible value [1]. We suggest that these four areas need to be addressed in order to demonstrate how value can be realized from implementation and integration of electronic health records. Focusing on these issues will not only help us assess benefits, but also elucidate the changes in work processes, organizational structures, and attitudes that will help promote benefit. We illustrate with findings from the first phase of a longitudinal study on adoption of a system that integrates ambulatory OB/GYN practices with the triage unit at an academic community hospital, using vendor supplied software.