The United States could achieve significant health care savings if it achieved widespread adoption of electronic health records (EHRs), but insufficient privacy protections are hindering public acceptance of the EHR concept, according to a new report from researchers from North Carolina State University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and the Georgia Institute of Technology. The report, published in Boston University's Journal of Science and Technology Law, outlines steps that could be taken to boost privacy and promote the use of EHRs. “Electronic health records could reduce costs in the U.S. by an estimated $80 to 100 billion each year,” says co-author Dr David Baumer, head of the business management department at North Carolina State University. “Using electronic records allows the health-care system to operate more efficiently, minimizes duplicative testing, et cetera. But you can only get those cost reductions if everyone, or nearly everyone, makes use of the records, from health-care providers to pharmacies to insurance companies.” However, a lack of public support related to privacy concerns has hindered progress of this initiative. The authors cite a 2006 survey in which “62% of the public said ‘the use of electronic medical records make it more difficult to ensure patients’ privacy,' although similar proportions recognized the potential for EHRs in cost and error reductions and increased patient safety.” EHRs have become prevalent in the European Union (EU), which has significantly more stringent privacy protections and whose citizens feel more comfortable with the EHR concept. “It can be argued that the EU anticipates challenges to privacy and is proactive in its legislation; whereas because of its differing viewpoint toward an individual's right to privacy, the US system lacks a coherent framework for healthcare privacy, thus appearing more reactive in its legislative approach.” “If the US is going to sufficiently address the issue of privacy in EHRs then privacy and security must be central to the discussion of EHR implementation and the technical and policy framework that guides it.” See: “Privacy and Security in the Implementation of Health Information Technology (Electronic Health Records): U.S. and EU Compared.” Boston University Journal of Science and Technology Law, winter 2011. (This journal publishes each winter and summer. Visit http://bujostl.org/subscribe.php to subscribe.)