Date Range
2008 - 2019
Last Updated
Since 2008, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics has fielded a mail survey of office-based physicians, the National Electronic Health Records Survey (NEHRS). ONC helps fund this supplement to track office-based physician adoption and the use of EHRs for health information exchange and patient engagement. Starting in 2010, the NEHRS's sample size was increased to allow for state-level estimates. The data set estimates each measure nationally and individually for each state and the District of Columbia beginning in 2010, unless otherwise noted.
API
https://www.healthit.gov/data/open-api?source=nehrs.csv
*This data is API accessible. See /api for documentation and guidance on how to use the API.
| Data Field | Data Description | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
| region | Region // The region name for the data. This includes all 50 states and the District of Columbia. | |
| region_code | Region Code // The abbreviation code for the region name. This includes all 50 states and the District of Columbia. | |
| period | Time Period // "Time period for the data. The first four digits correspond to the year of the data, and any other digits refer to the month of the data, beginning with ""01""/January and ending with ""12""/December." | |
| pct_phys_any_ehr | Percent of Physicians that have Adopted Any EHR // This measure estimates the percentage of all office-based physicians that have adopted any EHR. Physicians have adopted any EHR if they report that they use an electronic health record or electronic medical record. These reported systems cannot include billing record systems. | National and state estimates: 2013-2019. This measure was obtained using the responses from question: Does the reporting location use an electronic health record (EHR) or electronic medical record (EMR) system? Do not include billing record systems. |
| pct_phys_basic_ehr | Percent of Physicians that have Adopted a Basic EHR // This measure estimates the percentage of all office-based physicians that have adopted a basic EHR. Physicians have adopted a basic EHR system if the computerized system has the following capabilities: patient demographics, patient problem lists, electronic lists of medications taken by patients, clinician notes, orders for medications, viewing laboratory results, and viewing imaging results. Data collection for this measure began in 2008, nationally, and by state in 2010. | National estimates: 2008-2014; state estimates: 2010-2015. This measure was obtained using a combination of questions about EHR functionalities. The questions were obtained from a question inventory of EHR functionalities. Question 22. Indicate whether the reporting location has each of the computerized capabilities listed below and how often these capabilities are used: 15a. Recording patient history and demographic information, 15e. Recording clinical notes, 15f. Recording patient's medications and allergies, 15g. Reconciling lists of patient medications to identify the most accurate list, 15i. Ordering prescriptions, 15k. Viewing lab results, 15m. Viewing imaging results? |
| pct_phys_cert_ehr | Percent of Physicians that have Adopted a Certified EHR // This measure estimates the percentage of all office-based physicians that have adopted a certified EHR. Physicians have adopted a certified EHR if they report that their current EHR system meets the meaningful use criteria as defined by the Department of Health and Human Services. | National and state estimates: 2014-2019. ONC transitioned to reporting on certified EHRs, as its primary measurement of physician EHR adoption. 2014 national and state estimates are the first official estimates of certified EHR adoption reported through the NEHRS. This measure was obtained using the responses from question: Does your current EHR system meet meaningful use criteria as defined by the Department of Health and Human Services? |
| pct_primary_care_phys_basic_ehr | Percent of Primary Care Physicians that have Adopted a Basic EHR // This measure estimates the percentage of all primary care office-based physicians that have adopted a basic EHR. A physician is categorized primary care if she specializes in one of the following areas: adolescent medicine, pediatrics, family practice, general practice, geriatrics, internal medicine, obstetrics, or gynecology. Physicians have adopted a basic EHR system if the computerized system has the following capabilities: patient demographics, patient problem lists, electronic lists of medications taken by patients, clinician notes, orders for medications, viewing laboratory results, and viewing imaging results. Data collection for this measure began in 2008, nationally, and by state in 2010. | National estimates: 2008-2013; state estimates: 2010-2013. ONC no longer calculate estimates for this historical measure. ONC transitioned to reporting on certified EHRs, as its primary measurement of physician EHR adoption. See field, "pct_primary_care_phys_cert_ehr", for national and estimates of certified EHR adoption among primary care physicians. This measure was obtained using a combination of questions about EHR functionalities (questions refer to 2013 NEHRS). The questions were obtained from a question inventory of EHR functionalities. 18. Please indicate whether the ambulatory reporting location has each of the computerized capabilities listed below and how often these capabilities are used: 18a. Recording patient history and demographic information, 18d. Recording clinical notes, 18d1. Do the notes include a list of the patient's medications and allergies, 18e. Reconciling lists of patient medications to identify the most accurate list, 18f. Ordering prescriptions, 18i. Viewing lab results, 18j. Viewing imaging results? |
| pct_primary_care_phys_cert_ehr | Percent of Primary Care Physicians that have Adopted a Certified EHR // This measure estimates the percentage of all primary care office-based physicians that have adopted a certified EHR. A physician is categorized primary care if she specializes in one of the following areas: adolescent medicine, pediatrics, family practice, general practice, geriatrics, internal medicine, obstetrics, or gynecology. Physicians have adopted a certified EHR if they report that their current EHR system meets the meaningful use criteria as defined by the Department of Health and Human Services. | National and state estimates: 2014-2015, 2019. ONC transitioned to reporting on certified EHRs, as its primary measurement of physician EHR adoption. 2014 national and state estimates are the first official estimates of certified EHR adoption reported through the NEHRS. This measure was obtained using the responses from question: Does your current EHR system meet meaningful use criteria as defined by the Department of Health and Human Services? |
| pct_surg_med_spec_phys_cert_ehr | Percent of Medical and Surgical Specialist Physicians that have Adopted a Certified EHR // This measure estimates the percentage of all office-based medical and surgical specialist physicians that have adopted a certified EHR. A physician is categorized as a medical or surgical specialist if she specializes in a non-primary care medical or surgical specialty. Physicians have adopted a certified EHR if they report that their current EHR system meets the meaningful use criteria as defined by the Department of Health and Human Services. | National and state estimates: 2014-2015, 2019. ONC transitioned to reporting on certified EHRs, as its primary measurement of physician EHR adoption. 2014 national and state estimates are the first official estimates of certified EHR adoption reported through the NEHRS. This measure was obtained using the responses from question 15: Does your current EHR system meet meaningful use criteria as defined by the Department of Health and Human Services? |
| pct_rural_phys_basic_ehr | Percent of Rural Physicians that have Adopted a Basic EHR // This measure estimates the percentage of all rural office-based physicians that have adopted a basic EHR. Physicians have adopted a basic EHR system if the computerized system has the following capabilities: patient demographics, patient problem lists, electronic lists of medications taken by patients, clinician notes, orders for medications, viewing laboratory results, and viewing imaging results. Data collection for this measure began in 2008, nationally, and by state in 2010. | National estimates: 2009-2013; state estimates: 2013. ONC no longer calculate estimates for this historical measure. ONC transitioned to reporting on certified EHRs, as its primary measurement of physician EHR adoption. ONC does not provide certified EHR adoption among rural physician because state estimates are inconsistent due to small cell size from survey results. This measure was obtained using a combination of questions about EHR functionalities (questions refer to 2013 NEHRS). The questions were obtained from a question inventory of EHR functionalities. 18. Please indicate whether the ambulatory reporting location has each of the computerized capabilities listed below and how often these capabilities are used: 18a. Recording patient history and demographic information, 18d. Recording clinical notes, 18d1. Do the notes include a list of the patient's medications and allergies, 18e. Reconciling lists of patient medications to identify the most accurate list, 18f. Ordering prescriptions, 18i. Viewing lab results, 18j. Viewing imaging results? |
| pct_small_practice_phys_basic_ehr | Percent of Small Practice Physicians that have Adopted a Basic EHR // This measure estimates the percentage of all small practice office-based physicians that have adopted a basic EHR. A practice is catergorized as small if it has ten or fewer physicians at the survey reporting location. Physicians have adopted a basic EHR system if the computerized system has the following capabilities: patient demographics, patient problem lists, electronic lists of medications taken by patients, clinician notes, orders for medications, viewing laboratory results, and viewing imaging results. Data collection for this measure began in 2008, nationally, and by state in 2010. | National estimates: 2008-2013; state estimate: 2010-2013. ONC no longer calculate estimates for this historical measure. ONC transitioned to reporting on certified EHRs, as its primary measurement of physician EHR adoption. This measure was obtained using a combination of questions about EHR functionalities (questions refer to 2013 NEHRS.) The questions were obtained from a question inventory of EHR functionalities. 18. Please indicate whether the ambulatory reporting location has each of the computerized capabilities listed below and how often these capabilities are used: 18a. Recording patient history and demographic information, 18d. Recording clinical notes, 18d1. Do the notes include a list of the patient's medications and allergies, 18e. Reconciling lists of patient medications to identify the most accurate list, 18f. Ordering prescriptions, 18i. Viewing lab results, 18j. Viewing imaging results? |
| pct_small_practice_phys_cert_ehr | Percent of Small Practice Physicians that have Adopted a Certified EHR // This measure estimates the percentage of all small practice office-based physicians that have adopted a certified EHR. A practice is catergorized as small if it has ten or fewer physicians at the survey reporting location. Physicians have adopted a certified EHR if they report that their current EHR system meets the meaningful use criteria as defined by the Department of Health and Human Services. | National and state estimates: 2014-2015, 2019. This measure was obtained using the responses from question 15: Does your current EHR system meet meaningful use criteria as defined by the Department of Health and Human Services? |
| pct_phys_view_labs | Percent of Physicians with Computerized Capability to View Laboratory Results // This measure estimates the percentage of all office-based physicians that have an EHR/EMR with the capability to view laboratory results. | National estimates: 2008-2013; state estimate: 2010-2013. ONC no longer calculate estimates for this historical measure. This measure was obtained from questions about EHR functionalities (questions refer to 2013 NEHRS). 18. Please indicate whether the ambulatory reporting location has each of the computerized capabilities listed below and how often these capabilities are used: 18i. Viewing lab results? |
| pct_phys_send_lab_orders | Percent of Physicians with Computerized Capability to Electronically Send Laboratory Test Orders // This measure estimates the percentage of all office-based physicians that have an EHR/EMR with the capability to electronically send laboratory test orders. | National and state estimates: 2010-2013. ONC no longer calculate estimates for this historical measure. This measure was obtained from questions about EHR functionalities (questions refer to 2013 NEHRS). 18. Please indicate whether the ambulatory reporting location has each of the computerized capabilities listed below and how often these capabilities are used: 18h. Ordering lab tests and 18h1. Are orders sent electronically? |
| pct_phys_graph_labs | Percent of Physicians with Computerized Capability to Automatically Graph a Patient's Laboratory Results over Time // This measure estimates the percentage of all office-based physicians that have an EHR/EMR with the capability to automatically graph a patient's laboratory results over time. | National and state estimates: 2012-2013. ONC no longer calculate estimates for this historical measure. This measure was obtained from questions about EHR functionalities (questions refer to 2013 NEHRS). 18. Please indicate whether the ambulatory reporting location has each of the computerized capabilities listed below and how often these capabilities are used: 18i. Viewing lab results and 18i1. Can the EHR/EMR automatically graph a specific patient's lab results over time? |
| pct_phys_e_share_provs | Percent of Physicians that Electronically Share Patient Health Information with Any Other Providers // This measure estimates the percentage of all office-based physicians that electronically share any patient health information (lab results, imaging reports, problem lists, medication lists) with any other providers, including hospitals, ambulatory providers, or clinical laboratories. | National and state estimates: 2014. This measure was obtained using the responses from question 19 (question refers to 2014 NEHRS): do you share any patient health information (e.g., lab results, imaging reports, problem lists, medication lists) electronically (not fax) with any other providers, including hospitals, ambulatory providers, or labs? |
| pct_phys_e_share_ambu_provs | Percent of Physicians that Electronically Share Patient Health Information with Ambulatory Providers // This measure estimates the percentage of all office-based physicians that electronically share any patient health information (lab results, imaging reports, problem lists, medication lists) with other ambulatory providers. | National estimates: 2014. State estimates not available (small cell size from survey results).This measure was obtained using the responses from question 19c (question refers to 2014 NEHRS): with what type of providers do you electronically share patient health information? Respondents, then, may check all that apply, including: ambulatory providers inside office/group, ambulatory providers outside office/group, affiliated hospitals, unaffiliated hospitals. |
| pct_phys_e_share_hosps | Percent of Physicians that Electronically Share Patient Health Information with Hospitals // This measure estimates the percentage of all office-based physicians that electronically share any patient health information (lab results, imaging reports, problem lists, medication lists) with hospitals. | National estimates: 2014. State estimates not available (small cell size from survey results). This measure was obtained using the responses from question 19c (question refers to 2014 NEHRS): with what type of providers do you electronically share patient health information? Respondents, then, may check all that apply, including: ambulatory providers inside office/group, ambulatory providers outside office/group, affiliated hospitals, unaffiliated hospitals. |
| pct_phys_send_receive_any_patient_info | Percent of Physicians that Electronically Send or Receive any Patient Health Information with any Other Providers // This measure estimates the percentage of all office-based physicians that electronically send or receive patient health information, including any of medication lists, problem lists, medication and allergy lists, imaging reports, laboratory results, registry data (e.g., immunizations, cancer), and referrals, with other providers and public health agencies outside the physicians' organization. | National and state estimates: 2015-2019. This measure was obtained using the responses from questions: Do you send patient health information to other providers and public health agencies outside your medical organization using the following methods of data transmissions (paper-based methods, eFax, EHR (not eFax), Web Portal (separate from EHR)?and Do you receive patient health information to other providers and public health agencies outside your medical organization using the following methods of data transmissions (paper-based methods, eFax, EHR (not eFax), Web Portal (separate from EHR)? |
| pct_phys_e_share_patients | Percent of Physicians that Provide Any Electronic Capabilities to Patients // This measure estimates the percentage of all office-based physicians that provide any electronic capabilities to their patients. | National estimates: 2014-2015. State estimates: 2015. This measure was obtained using the responses from questions 22t, 22u, 22v, and 22w. This measure combines responses from questions of whether the physician exchanges secure messages with patients and provides patients the ability to view online, download or transmit information from their medical record. This measure reflect the percent of physicians who can perform at least one of these functions. |
| pct_phys_patient_secure_message | Percent of Physicians with Capability to Electronically Exchange Secure Messages with Patients // This measure estimates the percentage of all office-based physicians that have an EHR/EMR with the capability to exchange secure messages with patients. | National and state estimates: 2013-2019. This measure was obtained from question: Indicate whether the reporting location has each of the computerized capabilities listed below and how often these capabilities are used. This measure reflects percent of responses: Yes to exchanging secure messages with patients. |
| pct_phys_vdt | Percent of Physicians that Provide Patients the Capability to View, Download, or Transmit their Health Information // This measure estimates the percentage of all office-based physicians that have an EHR/EMR with the capability to provide patients the ability to view online, download or transmit information from their medical record. | National estimates: 2014; National and state estimates: 2015, 2019. State estimates not available for 2014 (small cell size from survey results). This measure was obtained from question: Indicate whether the reporting location has each of the computerized capabilities listed below and how often these capabilities are used: Ability for patients to electronically view their online medical record, Ability for patients to download their online medical record, and Ability for patients to electronically send their online medical record to a third party? The measure reflects percent of responses of any of the three capabilities. |
| pct_phys_vd_and_t | Percent of Physicians that Provide Patients the Capability to View, Download, and Transmit their Health Information // This measure estimates the percentage of all office-based physicians that have an EHR/EMR with the capability to provide patients the ability to view online, download AND transmit information from their medical record. | National and state estimates: 2015, 2019. This measure was obtained from question: Indicate whether the reporting location has each of the computerized capabilities listed below and how often these capabilities are used: Ability for patients to electronically view their online medical record, Ability for patients to download their online medical record, and Ability for patients to electronically send their online medical record to a third party. Beginning in 2015, eligible health care professionals were required to demonstrate this capability through participation in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Meaningful Use Program. In prior years, the requirement was to demonstrate any of the three capabilities. 2015 is the first year ONC estimated the composite measure from the NEHRS survey. |
| pct_phys_patient_clinical_summary | Percent of Physicians with Computerized Capability to Provide Patients with Clinical Summaries for each Visit // This measure estimates the percentage of all office-based physicians that have an EHR/EMR with the capability to provide patients with clinical summaries for each patient visit. | National and state estimates: 2013. ONC no longer calculate estimates for this historical measure. This measure was obtained from questions about EHR functionalities (questions refer to 2013 NEHRS.) . 18. Please indicate whether the ambulatory reporting location has each of the computerized capabilities listed below and how often these capabilities are used: 18o. Providing patients with clinical summaries for each visit? |
| pct_phys_find_clin_info | Percent of Physicians with Capability to Search, Find, or Query Patient Health Information from Outside Sources // This measure estimates the percentage of all office-based physicians that have the capability to electronically search for a patient's health information from sources outside their medical organization. Patient information includes lab results, patient problem lists, imaging reports, medication lists, medication allergy lists, discharge summaries, and other information identified by the physician. | National and state estimates: 2015-2019. This measure is new to the 2015 NEHRS. The measure was estimated from responses to question: Do you have the capability to electronically search for your patient's health information from sources outside of your medical organization (e.g. remote access to other facility, health information exchange)? |
| pct_phys_send_any_clin_info | Percent of Physicians that Send Any Patient Clinical Information to Outside Providers // This measure estimates the percentage of all office-based physicians that electronically send patient health information to other providers outside of their medical organization, including public health agencies. Electronically sending does not include eFax, fax, or paper-based methods. Patient information includes lab results, patient problem lists, imaging reports, medication lists, medication allergy lists, discharge summaries, registry data, referrals, emergency department notification, and summary of care records for transitions of care or referrals. | National and state estimates: 2015-2019. This measure is new to the 2015 NEHRS. The measure was estimated from responses to question: For other providers outside of your medical organization including public health agencies, do you electronically send and receive, send only, or receive only the following types of patient health informaiton? |
| pct_phys_send_summary_care_record | Percent of Physicians that Send Patient Summary of Care Records to Outside Providers // This measure estimates the percentage of all office-based physicians that electronically send summary of care records for transitions of care or referrals to other providers outside of their medical organization. | National and state estimates: 2015-2019. This measure is new to the 2015 NEHRS. The measure was estimated from responses to question: For other providers outside of your medical organization including public health agencies, do you electronically send and receive, send only, or receive only the following types of patient health informaiton?(Only includes responses for summary of care records option). |
| pct_phys_receive_any_clin_info | Percent of Physicians that Receive Any Patient Clinical Information from Outside Providers // This measure estimates the percentage of all office-based physicians that electronically receive patient health information from other providers outside of their medical organization, including public health agencies. Electronically receiving does not include eFax, fax, or paper-based methods. Patient information includes lab results, patient problem lists, imaging reports, medication lists, medication allergy lists, discharge summaries, registry data, referrals, emergency department notification, and summary of care records for transitions of care or referrals. | National and state estimates: 2015-2019. This measure is new to the 2015 NEHRS. The measure was estimated from responses to question: For other providers outside of your medical organization including public health agencies, do you electronically send and receive, send only, or receive only the following types of patient health informaiton? |
| pct_phys_receive_summary_care_record | Percent of Physicians that Receive Patient Summary of Care Records from Outside Providers // This measure estimates the percentage of all office-based physicians that electronically receive summary of care records for transitions of care or referrals from other providers outside of their medical organization. | National and state estimates: 2015-2019. This measure is new to the 2015 NEHRS. The measure was estimated from responses to question: For other providers outside of your medical organization including public health agencies, do you electronically send and receive, send only, or receive only the following types of patient health informaiton? (Only includes responses for summary of care records option). |
| pct_phys_integrate_any_clin_info | Percent of Physicians with Capability to Integrate into an EHR Any Patient Clinical Information from Outside Providers // This measure estimates the percentage of all office-based physicians able to integrate patient health information received electronically from other providers outside of their medical organization. Electronically receiving does not include eFax, fax, or paper-based methods. Patient information includes lab results, patient problem lists, imaging reports, medication lists, medication allergy lists, discharge summaries, registry data, referrals, emergency department notification, and summary of care records for transitions of care or referrals. | National and state estimates: 2015-2019. This measure is new to the 2015 NEHRS. The measure was estimated from responses to question: When electronically receiving information from other providers, are you able to integrate the following types of patient health information into your EHR without special effort like manual entry or scanning? |
| pct_phys_integrate_summary_care_record | Percent of Physicians with Capability to Integrate into an EHR Summary of Care Records from Outside Providers // This measure estimates the percentage of all office-based physicians able to integrate summary of care records for transitions of care or referrals received electronically from other providers outside of their medical organization. Electronically receiving does not include eFax, fax, or paper-based methods. | National and state estimates: 2015-2019. This measure is new to the 2015 NEHRS. The measure was estimated from responses to question: When electronically receiving information from other providers, are you able to integrate the following types of patient health information into your EHR without special effort like manual entry or scanning? (Only includes responses for summary of care records option). |
| pct_phys_info_available | Percent of Physicians with Information Available from Outside Providers // This measure estimates the percentage of all office-based physicians who, when treating patients seen by providers outside their medical organization, often have clinical information from outside encounters electronically available. | National and state estimates: 2019. The measure was estimated from responses to question: when treating patients seen by providers outside your medical organization, how often do you or your staff have clinical information from those outside encounters electronically available at the point of care? This measure reflects percentage of respondents who answered: Often. |
| pct_phys_use_info | Percent of Physicians that Use Information from Outside Providers // This measure estimates the percentage of all office-based physicians who often or sometimes use patient health information electronically received from sources outside their organization when treating a patient. | National and state estimates: 2019. The measure was estimated from responses to question: how frequently do you use patient health information electronically (not eFax) received from providers or sources outside your organization when treating a patient? The measures reflects the percent of responses who answered: Often or Sometimes. |
| pct_phys_search_vax | Percent of Physicians that Electronically Search for Vaccination Information from Outside Sources // This measure estimates the percentage of all office-based physicians who electronically search for vaccination or immunization history from outside sources. | National and state estimates: 2019. The measure was estimated from responses to question: do you electronically search for the following patient health information from sources outside your medical organization? The measure reflects percent of responses: Yes to Vaccination/Immunization history. |
| pct_phys_search_scr | Percent of Physicians that Electronically Search for Summary of Care Records from Outside Sources // This measure estimates the percentage of all office-based physicians who electronically search fo summary of care records from outside sources. | National and state estimates: 2019. The measure was estimated from responses to question: do you electronically search for the following patient health information from sources outside your medical organization? The measure reflects the percent of responses: Yes to Summary of care record. |
| pct_phys_epcs | Percent of Physicians that Electronically Prescribe Controlled Substances // This measure estimates the percentage of all office-based physicians who often or sometimes prescribe controlled substances electronically. | National and state estimates: 2019. The measure was estimated from responses to question: how frequently are prescriptions for controlled substances sent electronically to the pharmacy? The measures reflects the percent of responses: Often or Sometimes. |
| pct_phys_pdmp | Percent of Physicians that Check State Prescription Drug Monitoring Program // This measure estimates the percentage of all office-based physicians who often or sometimes check the state prescription drug monitoring program prior to prescribing a controlled substance. | National and state estimates: 2019. The measure was estimated from responses to question: how frequently do you or designated staff check your state's prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) prior to prescribing a controlled substance to a patient for the first time? The measures reflects the percent of responses: Often or Sometimes. |
| pct_phys_erx | Percent of Physicians that Electronically Prescribe // This measure estimates the percentage of all office-based physicians who send prescriptions electronically. | National and state estimates: 2019. The measure was estimated from responses to question: if computerized orders for prescriptions are included, are prescriptions sent electronically to the pharmacy? The measure reflects the percent of responses: Yes. |
Nonrespondents to the mail survey received follow-up telephone calls. The universe of surveyed physicians comprises those classified as providing direct patient care in office-based practices, as well as clinicians in community health centers. Radiologists, anesthesiologists, and pathologists are excluded.