While there is still some work to be done for most providers, the vast majority are on their way toward meeting the requirements of the first stage of the government's meaningful use incentive program, according to a recent survey.

Healthcare IT News asked providers from across the country to gauge where their practice stands in terms of EHR implementation. A total of 16 percent said they had already installed a system and completed attestation. Another 69 percent said they were well on their way toward completing the process. This left just 16 percent with a significant amount of work to complete.

The numbers are similar to survey results released in October by SK&A, which indicated that about 75 percent of mid- to large-sized physician offices had adopted an EHR system. The authors behind the report said the numbers showed an increasing trend of EHR use.

Taken together, these surveys may indicate that EHRs are beginning to penetrate more deeply into family practices. With the substantial financial incentives available from the federal government for using the technology, it is little wonder, as practices are vying to get their piece of the $23 billion set aside for the program.