The meaningful use of electronic health records and health care quality.

The federal government is investing approximately $30 billion in incentives for adoption and meaningful use (MU) of electronic health records (EHRs). Whether achieving MU improves quality of care is unclear. The researchers conducted a longitudinal study of 514 primary care physicians in New York State from 2010 to 2011. Quality of care provided by those who achieved stage 1 MU was compared with the quality provided by those who used EHRs but did not achieve stage 1 MU. Generalized estimating equations were used to determine whether receipt of MU incentives was independently associated with performance on 9 MU quality measures. In 2011, 44% of physicians achieved MU and 56% did not. No difference in quality was found between those who achieved stage 1 MU and those who were using EHRs but had not achieved MU. Longer follow-up is needed to observe the full effects of this multistage national policy.