No end in sight: EHRs hit hospitals’ bottom lines with uncertain benefits

On Feb. 17, 2009, President Barack Obama signed legislation that created the federal government’s meaningful use electronic health records incentive program. Nearly 10 years and $35 billion in federal incentives later, hospitals and health systems are still struggling with EHRs, as new installations disrupt workflows and cost millions of dollars, eating into their bottom lines.

Earlier this month, Trinity Health reported a $107.8 million asset impairment charge for its fiscal 2018 related to its hospitals and continuing-care facilities switching to a single version of Epic EHR and revenue cycle management software, a four-year project with an undisclosed cost. Trinity officials said they were not available to comment.

The federal government fed the initial investments in EHRs. Through May 2016,...