I guess the issue is what you want as data in your chart - I actually don't want the data from the other offices in my data - I love to have historical data, but that data would interfere with my data when it comes to things like PQRI, etc.
From a computer programmer or data analyst standpoint it is great to have the numbers for all eternity in the chart, but not from a physician standpoint.
Scanning costs are also not always relevant - my office has scanned 1000 plus charts in the last year or so, and all new patients have not generated paper charts in the last 18 months. Much of this could actually just be left off as the older history becomes less and less relevant over time. The only reason we do it is to say we did it and empty shelf space. The longer I have been paperless the less I need to look back - since almost all of my pt. have mammograms in the chart, comprehensive labs, x-rays, ekg's etc. along with lots of data from my visits and I really don't need to look back. As a matter of fact many of the chart notes from other providers are less than useful - if I take the cardiologist note, the pulmonologist note and a hospital H&P to compare I find many discrepancies - I was asking a pt. about history and he wanted to know why I couldn't just look it up. I think physicians know why we ask directly .... trying to get the best information. I often think it would actually be best if when I asked for patient information I only asked for the last 1 year's worth - most info needed is there and less liability for information from other sources.
