Red tape, antiquated laws keep computerized records on shaky legal ground.

Computerizing medical records in an effort to improve quality of care and cut costs may sound like a terrific idea. And the technology for doing so is becoming more affordable for a growing number of hospitals. But a patchwork of nebulous and antiquated state laws makes automated recordkeeping technically illegal in 12 states and legally ambiguous in many more. Some experts are calling on the federal government to provide a comprehensive solution.