Capgemini report highlights barriers to European healthcare modernisation
UK, Sweden and Netherlands lead the way on adoption of electronic health records
7 April 2005
Paris, April 7, 2005 - Privacy concerns, issues over funding and adoption of data standards mean that ambitious plans across Europe to modernise healthcare services are being put at risk, finds a new report from Capgemini. The report benchmarks progress by different European countries towards the successful implementation of electronic health records and reveals that the UK, Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands are leading their peers in this area. Also, France is taking major steps with the introduction of its national electronic health record. Always exploring ways to improve healthcare, France is putting a huge effort into apromising solution.
“Healthcare leaders in hospitals and governments alike are now beginning to realise that the next phase of technology use will be targeted increasingly at efficiency, patient safety and the reduction of medical errors. They consider electronic health records (EHR), clinical information systems and computer-based practitioner order entry (CPOE) - will all have a massive impact on reducing medical errors and removing the delays that result from paper record handoffs and missing information. All of these will be among the most important applications that organizations will need to invest in over the next two years”. says Paul Hermelin, Capgemini’s CEO at the World Health Care Congress in Chantilly (near Paris) France.
‘Healthcare Information Technology and the Electronic Health Record – Implications for Healthcare’ also considers the ongoing problem of clinician buy-in, and addresses the need for greater understanding and co-operation to drive process change and reap the rewards of technology investments. It outlines the pivotal role that electronic health records (EHR) and health information systems (HIS) will play in improving patient safety, removing medical errors, driving efficiency, reducing delays and enabling proactive personalised patient care.
Gerry Yantis, Vice President at Capgemini, comments: “We’ve found that by implementing new technologies and re-designing clinical processes with healthcare staff, it’s possible to reduce the variations in treatment of diseases, reduce medication errors and dramatically lower administrative paperwork by as much as 7 – 9% of total operating costs.”
Despite those potential benefits, the progress of EHR and HIS implementations is impeded by the fact that none of the disparate IT systems currently used are capable of communicating with each other in any but the most rudimentary ways. The information gap caused by this lack of integration can result in serious medical errors, causing illness, disability and death. In the Netherlands, for example, research finds that such mistakes cost the health service a preventable expense of €1.4 billion per year.
Gerry Yantis continues: “The challenges we’re experiencing in implementing IT-based modernisation are very real, and have impeded the kind of progress that patients, politicians, and healthcare executives would like to see. Yet after several years of discussion and planning, the forces are now aligned for the successful implementation of integrated EHR/HIS solutions. What have served in the past as insurmountable barriers to success are now seen to be challenges that can be addressed. “Visionary public policy, appropriate resources and strong leadership will result in EHR being a success story for patients, clinicians and managers alike. Ultimately, the widespread adoption of EHR will completely revolutionise the delivery of patient care.”
Antoine Georges-Picot, Vice President at Capgemini confirms: “The implementation process in France demonstrates the positive effects of introducing a national electronic health record at different levels. For instance, thanks to the national initiative, there is a move in the market, away from a suboptimal silo approach towards an integrated solution. Solution providers are responsive to such changing markets demands, moving to integrated solutions along the care process. Also, in different regions, health portals tie together hospitals and primary care providers. At a national level, there is a sense of urgency and a firm commitment to deliver results on the short term. Although there is some concern about the return on investment, is generally felt that the EHR is becoming a standard part of the overall approach, and indirect benefits resulting from a reduced average length of stay are expectedas well”.
The report identifies seven steps that hospitals and governments should take to begin addressing EHR and HIS implementations in a proactive manner.
1. Begin a community dialogue on EHR involving clinicians, hospital leaders, social and community care providers, commissioning/insurance organisations and patients.
2. Develop an IT infrastructure to support the processes of the advanced clinical information system.
3. Engage clinicians and ancillary staff in the process of preparing for EHRs.
4. Redesign workflow by working with clinicians, clinical and ancillary staff.
5. Define and establish the service levels that must be met by clinical information systems.
6. Estimate the potential clinical and financial benefits for improving patient safety and enabling proactive care management.
7. Identify the benefits of improving patient access to systems for appointments and registration and staff ends
About the Capgemini Group
Capgemini, one of the world’s foremost providers of Consulting, Technology and Outsourcing services, has a unique way of working with its clients, which it calls the Collaborative Business Experience. Through commitment to mutual success and the achievement of tangible value, the company helps businesses implement growth strategies, leverage technology, and thrive through the power of collaboration. Capgemini employs approximately 60,000 people worldwide and reported 2004 global revenues of 6,291 million euros.
More information about individual service lines, offices and research is available at www.capgemini.com
