According to the lecture, which is a possible drawback to EHR regulation?

• A. Decrease in innovative designs
• B. Increased levels of problems in contracting processes that discourage reporting flaws in EHR systems
• C. Decrease in the application of the "competent human intervention" principle
• D. Increase in healthcare costs to the consumer

Answer: (A)

Regulation can limit innovation because it imposes compliance costs, standards, and validation steps that shape how EHRs are designed. When designers and vendors anticipate strict requirements and lengthy approval processes, they tend to favor safer, proven approaches over risky, innovative features. This risk-averse environment can slow or reduce the development of new ideas, user interfaces, interoperability improvements, and advanced decision-support tools, leading to fewer innovative designs entering the market.

While other potential issues—such as contracting hurdles that affect flaw reporting, shifts in how human intervention is prioritized, or changes in costs to consumers—can occur, the lecture emphasizes that the most direct drawback of regulation in this context is a decrease in innovative designs due to the regulatory burden.