CIOs Fear IT Staffing Shortages will Affect EHR Implementation

IT staffing shortages will put projects at risk and negatively impact healthcare organizations’ chances of implementing electronic health records successfully, according to results of a recent survey by the Ann Arbor, Mich.-based College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) of healthcare IT executives.

Chief information officers (CIOs) who responded to the survey said IT staffing deficiencies will possibly (51 percent) or definitely (10 percent) affect their chances to implement an EHR and receive stimulus funding. The most glaring need for healthcare organizations is for trained personnel who can implement clinical records software. More than 70 percent of respondents reported that their organizations lack staff to implement clinical applications.

Additionally, CIOs expressed growing concern about retaining current staff as pressures mount to quickly implement clinical systems. Some 76 percent of respondents said they were concerned about retaining current IT staff, while 24 percent said they had no such concerns.

CHIME surveyed its members in early September to assess the potential impact of staffing shortages on IT operations, particularly as organizations move to implement clinical systems to qualify for stimulus funding under the HITECH Act. A total of 182 CIOs responded to the survey, or about 13 percent of CHIME’s membership.