CBO says EMRs won't save as much as hoped

People, Process and Technology must be viewed together. EMR systems represent technology. Without evaluating the processes and the organization with the technology, you are just automating the existing paper based processes.

EMR implementation presents organizations with a real opportunity to revolutionize their operations, but only when the EMR comes with process engineering folks along side the coders.

I couldn't agree more.  After all, it's hard to imagine how an EMR platform could re-engineer behavior all on its own. Sure, it can *influence* behavior, but that's not going to be enough to transform the healthcare system. However, it's looking like politicians and policymakers are pretty attached to the notion that it can.

I wish the CBO faculty read FierceHealthcare. Over the past two years I have cried hoarse about the poor utility of currently available CCHIT certified EMRs for typical medical practices.
AGAIN:
1) If the products DO NOT ENHANCE PATIENT CARE or BOTTOM LINE no one will use them. You just need to use these products to know how badly they are designed. You do not need a controlled clinical trial to say something stinks...
2)If the products DO NOT adapt to the workflow of the user or is riddled with pull down and pull-up menus, people cannot and will not use them.
3) Learn from the mistakes of big three auto makers. You cannot sell lousy products for ever with government regulation. If the product does not suit the users they will dump it in a hurry.
4) I'd be very happy to welcome serious EMR company designers to our practice to explain to them why their products will NOT work in real life. I can also demonstrate to them what an adaptive medical records system is. My practice depends on instant information availability at any point of service. I cannot do it with the current breed of EMRs.