The national coordinator for health IT is on record as saying the nation cannot wait another five years to see the electronic exchange of medical records. This attitude of urgency has underpinned much of the policies out of his office, encouraging physicians to adopt EHRs sooner rather than later. However, one group is saying not so fast.

A new white paper issued by Texas-based health IT consulting firm AC Group is calling on federal authorities to slow down the deadlines for EHR implementation dictated by the meaningful use program.

It's not that the group questions the benefits of EHRs. They simply suggest that when a practice is forced to rush to implement a new technology, they may not be getting the proper system for their needs.

The paper urges the ONC to push back deadlines for completing EHR implementation. It suggests that giving physicians more time may help them make better decisions about the technological future of their practice.

Currently, physicians have until the end of 2012 to reach the first stage of meaningful use if they want to qualify for full incentive payments. Penalties may begin in 2015 for practices that still have yet to implement an EHR system.