Mass. Ranks Second In Using Electronic Medical Records

About 77 percent of office-based physicians in Massachusetts are using some type of electronic medical record, according to a self-reported survey conducted by the Centers For Disease Control.

It is the second highest adoption rate in the country, after Minnesota. While that’s a strong showing, Mickey Tripathi with the Massachusetts eHealth Collaborative said the survey shows some doctors are only using electronic records for billing or prescribing — not a full medical history.

"Even though three-fourths are reporting that they’re using the system, a much smaller number are reporting that they’re really using the system in the ways we think are important, to improve the quality, safety and efficiency of care," Tripathi said. "So that’s where a lot of work still needs to be done."

Adoption of electronic medical records is expected to rise this year, when physicians can apply for up to $64,000 in federal assistance.