This July 2007 AHRQ report, prepared by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, examines the link between health information technology (IT) and quality improvement in a range of primary care settings. The report finds that most current health IT systems have a long way to go before they encompass the functionality that would support robust ongoing improvement of care.

An access problem is a delay problem.  Consider the following:

• 40% of emergency department visits are not urgent, rather, they take place because they cannot see their primary care physician.*
• From 1997 to 2001 the percentage of people reportaing an inablity to obtain a timely appointment rose from 23% to 33%.*
• For 2001, 43% of adults reporting an urgent condition were unable to receive care when they wanted.*