Meaningful Use Of EMR

The use of paper based records is evident in history for centuries but now electronic/computer records are slowly replacing this traditional method of recording data. This development is yet to leave it’s mark on healthcare unlike some of the other sectors such as manufacturing, transport etc. The use of EMR (Electronic Medical Records) also know as EHR is crawling up in the western world. For effective integration of modern technologies like decision support systems the use of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) is inevitable.

The 2003 IOM Patient Safety Report describes an EMR as encompassing:

1. A longitudinal collection of electronic health information for and about persons
   
2. [Immediate] Electronic access to person- and population-level information by authorized users;
   
3. Provision of knowledge and decision-support systems [that enhance the quality, safety, and efficiency of patient care]
   
4. Support for efficient processes for health care delivery.”
   

   In order to make the most out of this technology there are some detailed guidelines available. For instance details included in the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, or HITECH Act, the provision of the ARRA that created the incentives, have hinted at what physicians can expect in the meaningful use definition:
   

• Qualifying EMR systems must be certified. Pat Wise, RN, vice president of health information services for the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, said because the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology is currently the only certifying body up and running, she expects early meaningful use requirements will include CCHIT certification.
  
• Systems must include electronic prescribing. According to Wise, the administration has made clear that e-prescribing will be one of the key components of meaningful use. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is already offering incentives to physicians who e-prescribe.
  
• Systems must be used for quality reporting. Incentive programs already exist under CMS’s Physician Quality Reporting Initiative. The meaningful use guidelines are expected to include and build on those performance measures.
  
• Systems must be capable of exchanging information with other systems. The HITECH Act makes it clear the administration is still working toward a national health data exchange whose foundation will be EMRs.
  

  The US Dept of Health and Human Services (HHS) outlined these criteria for Meaningful Use of EMR:
  1)    Improve quality, safety, efficiency, and reduce health disparities
  2)    Engage patients and families
  3)    Improve care coordination
  4)    Improve population and public health
  5)    Ensure adequate privacy and security protections for personal

  Now the question of qualification arises at this point, whether a physician is capable of using EMR in a meaningful way or not. We have predefined criteria to determine that:

1. Must use “certified EMR technology”
   
2. Must demonstrate that the certified EMR technology is connected in such a way that it provides for the electronic exchange of health information to improve the quality of health care, such as promoting the coordination of care
   

Must submit information on clinical quality measures specified by HHS

Thus by making sure the above criteria is met in full it can be safely concluded that the introduction of EMR in healthcare is one step further towards a better future.

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