Thanks to almost $1.2 billion in grants from the U.S. government, hospitals and health care providers will have the opportunity to establish and use electronic health records, according to Reuters.
The grants will be funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, and will most likely be granted in three cycles over the course of 2010.
As many as 70 health information technology centers will use $598 million of the grant money to acquire electronic health record systems. The remaining $564 million will be used to develop a nationwide system of health information networks.
Officials at Health and Human Services said the use of electronic medical records could help reduce medical errors, improve quality and make the system more efficient.
Currently, it is unclear which hospitals will seek the funds; however, officials speculate that those that have been on the forefront of technology will apply.
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