1.0 IntroductionThe interpretation of quality healthcare varies from person to person. Some emphasize the ability to access various treatments without interference. Others appreciate the ability to simply choose their supplier. Quality health care, according to the Institute of Medicine (2001), can be defined as care that is “safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient, and equitable” (p. 3). Furthermore, it should take into account, in detail, a patient's medical history and improve the patient's overall well-being. Unfortunately, the quality of healthcare in America is imperfect. Information technology (IT) offers the potential to address the industry's most pressing dilemmas: fragmentation of care, medical errors and rising costs. The most striking example is the electronic health record (EHR). An electronic health record, as explained by HealthIT.gov (n.d.), is a digital version of a patient's paper medical record. Includes, but is not limited to, medical history, diagnosis, medications, and treatment plans. The EHR, therefore, serves as a resource that helps doctors in decision making by providing comprehensive patient information. While the benefits of IT are numerous, its successful adoption in the healthcare industry has been difficult. The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (2004) states that “barriers include the cost and complexity of IT implementation, which requires significant work processes and cultural changes” (p. 158). These challenges, unfortunately, have led to a number of ineffective systems. The next steps will outline the initiatives and barriers to healthcare IT (HIT) adoption, as well as the critical factors related to adoption success. The goal is to establish realistic guidance to increase the chances of success... half of the article ...... Adoption of electronic health records in the first year, loss of physician productivity appeared to be the most important component , estimated at $101,250 .Works Citedhttp://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_briefs/2005/RAND_RB9136.pdfhttp://www.iom.edu/~/media/Files/Report%20Files /2006/Preventing- Medication-Errors-Quality-Chasm-Series/medicationerrorsnew.ashxhttp://webobjects.cdw.com/webobjects/media/pdf/Newsroom/CDW-Healthcare-Physician-Practice-EHR-Price-Tag.pdfhttps ://www. cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/ftpdocs/91xx/doc9168/05-20-healthit.pdfhttp://content.healthaffairs.org/content/30/3/481.full.pdf+htmlhttp:// www.iom.edu/~/media/Files/Report%20Files/1999/To-Err-is-Human/To%20Err%20is%20Human%201999%20%20report%20brief.pdfhttp://www.himss. org/files/HIMSSorg/content/files/DMODePhillips.pdfhttp://www.medpac.gov/publications%5Ccongressional_reports%5CJune04_ch7.pdf