title: The use of electronic health records in Spanish hospitals.
abstract: The aims of this study were to describe the level of adoption of electronic health records in Spanish hospitals and to identify potential barriers and facilitators to this process. We used an observational cross-sectional design. The survey was conducted between September and December 2011, using an electronic questionnaire distributed through email. We obtained a 30% response rate from the 214 hospitals contacted, all belonging to the Spanish National Health Service. The level of adoption of electronic health records in Spanish hospitals was found to be high: 39.1% of hospitals surveyed had a comprehensive EHR system while a basic system was functioning in 32.8% of the cases. However, in 2011 one third of the hospitals did not have a basic electronic health record system, although some have since implemented electronic functionalities, particularly those related to clinical documentation and patient administration. Respondents cited the acquisition and implementation costs as the main barriers to implementation. Facilitators for EHR implementation were: the possibility to hire technical support, both during and post implementation; security certification warranty; and objective third-party evaluations of EHR products. In conclusion, the number of hospitals that have electronic health records is in general high, being relatively higher in medium-sized hospitals.
authors.affiliation: Universitat de Vic - Universitat Rovira i Virgili Sagrada Familia, 7 08500 Vic SPAIN.
authors.forename: Guillem
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marca
authors.affiliation: Infanta Mercedes, 92, Bajo 28020 Madrid SPAIN.
authors.forename: Angel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.affiliation: Servicio Andaluz de Salud Av. De la Constitucion no 18 41071 Sevilla SPAIN.
authors.forename: Martin German
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Blanco-Garcia
authors.affiliation: C/ Infanta Mercedes, 92, Bajo 28020 Madrid SPAIN.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Miravalles
authors.affiliation: Institut Catala de la Salut Carretera de Canyet s/n. 08916 Badalona, Barcelona SPAIN.
authors.forename: Pere
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Soley
authors.affiliation: Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge C/ Feixa Llarga, sn 08907 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat Barcelona SPAIN.
authors.forename: Berta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ortiga
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D057286:Electronic Health Records / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D063025:Health Information Management / Q000592:standards*; D006761:Hospitals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires