WASHINGTON - Health care professionals in 10 North Dakota counties have been chosen to participate in a national initiative to promote the use of information technology in health care.

The demonstration project will promote the use of electronic health records to reduce medical errors and help doctors deliver better, more efficient care for their patients.

Cass, Dickey, Dunn, Grand Forks, McLean, Mercer, Oliver, Rolette, Sheridan, and Walsh counties have been selected to work with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on the demonstration project.

The North Dakota counties were selected because they demonstrated an ability to work with physicians, health plans, employers, government and consumers. They also demonstrated close ties to the medical community and ability to work with CMS to recruit physicians to participate in the demonstration, according to a release from Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D.

Over the five-year demonstration project, financial incentives will be provided to primary care physicians who use electronic health records to improve quality. In addition, bonus payments will be awarded once a physician group incorporates electronic health records into its practice.