Figure 1. Only 28 Percent of U.S. Primary Care Physicians Have
Electronic Medical Records; Only 19 Percent Have Advanced IT Capacity
Percent reporting EMRs
100
98
75
50
25
92
89
79
42
28
23
0
NET NZ UK AUS GER US CAN
Percent reporting 7 or more out of 14 advanced IT functions*
100
87
83
75
72
59
50
32
25 19
8
0
NZ UK AUS NET GER US CAN
* Count of 14: EMR; EMR access other doctors, outside office, patients; routine use electronic ordering tests, prescriptions; access test results, hospital records; computer for reminders, Rx alerts; prompt tests results; and easy to list diagnosis, medications, patients due for care.
Source: 2006 Commonwealth Fund International Health Policy Survey of Primary Care Physicians.
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COMMONWEALTH
FUND

Figure 2. Physicians with Advanced IT Capacity in Seven Nations
Are More Likely to Report Being Well-Prepared to Provide Optimal Care for Patients with Chronic Conditions
Percent of physicians who feel well-prepared to provide optimal care for patients with multiple chronic conditions
100
74
75
66
71
*
78
***
50
25
0
Total Low (0–2) Medium (3–6)
IT Functional Capacity
High (7–14)
Note: Adjusted percentages based on logit models; Difference from practice with low IT capacity is statistically significant: *** p<0.001, * p<0.05.
Data: 2006 Commonwealth Fund International Health Policy Survey of Primary Care Physicians.
Source: K. Davis, M. M. Doty, K. Shea, and K. Stremikis, “Health Information Technology and Physician Perceptions of Quality of Care and Satisfaction,” Health Policy (published online Nov. 25, 2008, in advance of print).
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COMMONWEALTH
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Figure 3. Hospitals with Automated Clinical Decision Support
Generate Savings
Mean adjusted hospital savings per hospitalization*
$1,500
$1,250
$1,000
$750
$500
$250
$0
$538
$225
$555
All patients Patients with myocardial infarction
$1,043
$363
Patients with heart failure
Patients with coronary artery bypass surgery
Patients with pneumonia
* Adjusted for patient complication risk; patient mortality risk; and hospital size, total margin, and ownership. Savings associated with a 10-point increase in Clinical Information Technology Assessment Tool subdomain score.
Source: R. Amarasingham, L. Plantinga, M. Diener-
West et al., “Clinical Information Technologies and Inpatient
Outcomes: A Multiple Hospital Study,” Archives of Internal Medicine, Jan. 26, 2009 169(2):108 –14.
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COMMONWEALTH
FUND

Figure 4. Geisinger Medical Home Pilot Sites Reduce Medical Cost by Four Percent in First Year
Allowed per member per month Non-medical home
Medical home
630
620
610
600
590
580
570
560
550
CY 2006 CY 2007
Source: G. Steele, “Geisinger Quality—Striving for Perfection,” Presentation to The Commonwealth Fund
Bipartisan Congressional Health Policy Conference, Jan. 10, 2009.
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COMMONWEALTH
FUND