One of most touted areas of the Federal government's stimulus initiatives has been investment in Health Information Technology.  Unfortunately this has been focused heavily on infrastructure not caregiving tools (and certainly not tools for eldercare specifically).  Proponents of this investment believe that it will save billions of dollars in the long run on health care costs.  Typically they site things like the elimination duplicate tests, administrative efficiencies of an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) and other "back office" improvements.

Well, I'm skeptical.

I'm not alone,  the New York Times published an article a little while back raising some of the same concerns.  Titled "Doctors Raise Doubts on Digital Health Data" the article discusses how difficult a problem this really is.  Two significant issues surface.  First, how frequently these systems are used and second, do they actually make a difference in the quality of care and coordination between health care providers.

Read the full article at www.nytimes.com/2009/03/26/business/26health.html. 

Not surprising the use is very low - 9% of the nation's 3000 hospitals according to the article.  Data on quality or efficiencies really isn't even available.

For people caring for aging parents and the cost associated with senior health care.  I'm even more skeptical.  In reality the health situation for a senior really can change over night and repeat tests are necessary.  A senior with congestive heat failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may require duplicate tests in very short time frames.

Transfer of information could provide some efficiencies, but often competitive hospitals, physician practices, and other competitive health providers are being asked to collaborate with no financial incentive.