National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey shows that EMR adoption crept up from 48.3 percent in 2009.

More than half of physicians were using at least partial electronic medical records (EMRs) in their offices by the end of 2010, according to a survey by the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics.

The study, called the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, showed that EHR adoption crept up from 48.3 percent in 2009 to 50.7 percent in 2010.

In 2009, 21.8 percent of physicians who had EMRs said they used a basic systems, which support features such medication lists and the ability to view imaging, which 6.9 percent used fully functional system, which can also support medical history, drug interaction warnings, electronic prescribing and computerized orders for lab tests.

In 2010, 24.9 percent of physicians used basic systems, while 10.1 percent used fully functional systems.

EMR adoption, according to the survey, was greater in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Washington, Oregon, Utah and Hawaii.

The change came as the Department of Health and Human Services dangled billions of dollars in incentive payments in front of health care providers.

The lesson learned: Physicians are getting onboard with EHRs. If you haven’t implemented yours today, contact us for more information.