In the press release I wrote about in my previous CCHIT certification post, they had a nice summary list of the meaningful use requirements as we know them today:
• Allow patients to access clinical information
• Comply with state and federal privacy, security and data sharing regulations
• Document patient progress and provide clinical summaries
• Exchange critical information with other care providers
• Implement drug interaction safeguards
• Send patient reminders about follow-up and preventive care
• Submit immunization and laboratory data to relevant public health registries
• Use computerized physician order entry systems to transmit prescription
Interestingly, this is what I think many doctors consider meaningful use of an EHR:
• Lower costs
• Increase revenue
• Lower charting time
• Oh yes, and better patient care
A bit of a generalization, but you get the point. The good news is that the benefits in my list are possible with an EMR. It’s just that the HITECH stimulus money may or may not promote those benefits.
Hitting these certification standards is going to be tough. On their own, they are all doable. But the standards are a bit of a moving target and haven’t been revealed completely.
Steve
Mitochon Systems
mitochonsystems.com
Steve,
We’ll see what HHS comes out with at the end of the month. However, if the criteria that HHS comes out with is vague and difficult to understand, then you’re right that it will be a challenge to meet the criteria. Here’s hoping that they’ll lower the bar and make it dead simple to attain.