HIT boosts bottom line for hospitals

Hospitals with advanced health information technology systems and a high quality of care achieve greater revenue growth, attend to more patients, enjoy a superior reputation for excellence, and are better able to contain costs, a report from Fitch Ratings has revealed. As hospitals accelerate the adoption of electronic health records, computerized physician order entry systems, electronic prescription technology, and other health IT, the findings give greater currency to the Obama administration's claim that its health IT incentive programs are worthwhile and will have a positive impact on improving the quality of care while containing healthcare costs. The special healthcare report, Enhanced Accountability and Financial Performance noted that as health reforms accelerate the adoption of quality reporting and health IT investments, it's important to analyze the impact of these two drivers on hospital operations.