What is meant by ‘meaningful use’

Posted on | November 17, 2009 | No Comments

The first goal in the Health Outcomes Policy Priority column of CCHITs Meaningful Use Matrix is

Improve quality, safety, efficiency, and reduce health disparities

The term ‘Meaningful Use’ implies a clinician using their software in a meaningful way.   The list put out by CCHIT is extensive in its requirements for what can qualify as a meaningful use certified software, many of the requirements are features that are not utilized by practitioners of different specialties.  Does this mean to be eligible for the government stimulus money you need to implement a system that isn’t designed for your type of practice?

Standards of interoperability are being finalized now.  CCHIT is one EHR certifying body and others, like the Drummond Group, are entering the arena as well.  The standards are being set by the Healthcare Information Technology Standards Panel (HITSP). HDM reports that the Department of Health and Human Services will now be the body to set the criteria for meaningful use.

David Hunt, M.D., chief medical officer in the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology had this to say at the Health Data Management’s Health IT Stimulus Summit in Boston.

“You have to be able to send data and CMS has to be able to receive it,” Hunt said. “The big thing for 2011 is that you actually acquire this equipment and start using it.”

It’s a good place to start.  Look at your practice and decide how you want to implement your EHR.  Stay aware of the current standards of in the quality of documentation expected, software interoperability and make sure your software provider is dedicated to growing with the standards as they are implemented.

Standards are not in place regarding how different portions of an EHR should operate with each other, how or if an EHR should interface with health information exchanges, how an EHR can demonstrate that it is being used in a meaningful way or establish a measurement of an EHRs effectiveness.  Big moves are being made with how these definitions will be finalized and we can only hope that the overall goal will remain the improvement of quality, safety, efficiency, and reduction of health disparities.

References:

Meaningful use Matrix Tagged for CCHIT Reference Link

HITSP Website Link

Health Information Technology and Federal Stimulus; October 7, 20009 Newsletter PDF

HDM Breaking News,Certification Recommendations OK’d, August 14, 2009 Link

Comments