The Challenges of Adopting Health IT for Rural Hospitals

Michael Archlueta, Director of IT for Mt. San Rafael Hospital in Trinidad was recently quoted in Becker's Hospital Review. When discussing the challenges of rural health IT adoption, Mr. Archlueta said, "At times, I've faced difficulty in regards to having limited resources made available to me. "The challenge has been the tremendous work-load that I’m juggling and expectations that I’m continuously striving but successfully overcoming all obstacles." 

Mt. San Rafael Hospital is not alone. Across the country, other small rural hospitals face hurdles when it comes to funding, personnel and other resources needed to implement EHRs and other forms of health IT. Read the article here.

ONC Goal: 1,000 Rural Hospital Meaningful Users by End of 2014

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT has set an ambitious goal of 1,000 rural hospitals becoming meaningful users of health IT by the end of 2014.  Despite the budgetary and work force challenges rural hospitals face, they are making steady progress on health information technology adoption. Between 2009 and 2011 the rural provider EHR adoption rate more than doubled. To speed adoption and share best practices, ONC created the Rural Community of Practice (CoP) and has recruited and convened leaders with expertise to roll out pilot projects. Its 10 subcommittees track the key challenges rural hospitals face.  Read the full article by David Raths, Healthcare Informatics.