Nursing informatics and web-based learning applications

¶ … Healthcare Delivery Systems and Informatics

Meaningful Use (MU)

Under the HITECH Act (2009) financial incentives were offered to physician practices and hospitals who adopted certified electronic health record (EHR) systems and used this technology to improve quality, safety, and efficiency in patient care. This is referred to as "meaningful use". To receive incentives, providers must provide evidence they are meaningfully using their EHR's by meeting a number of identified objectives. Use these links to explore meaningful use. Go to the HealthIT dashboard site and explore hospitals that have demonstrated Meaningful Use through the Medicare EHR Incentive Program.

Link 1: Health IT Dashboard (2015) at http://dashboard.healthit.gov/dashboards/hospitals-medicare-meaningful-use.php

Link 2: CMS.gov (2014). Eligible Hospital and CAH Meaningful Use Table of Contents Core and Menu Set

Objectives at https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/EHRIncentivePrograms/Downloads/EH_CAH_MU_TableOfContents.pdf

OR See Table 1: Stage 1 Meaningful Use Objectives under Module 4 in Blackboard

1. List the two (2) states that have the lowest demonstrated MU rate. Briefly explain (with appropriate examples) two (2) ways how lower MU rate might directly impact the patients living in these states as compared with those states with higher MU rates.

ANSWER- Please complete

Two states with lowest MU Rate (2.5 points each for a total of 5 points)

1. Delaware (83% . . . .per Link 1 mentioned above)

2. Hawaii (76% . . . per Link 1 mentioned above)

Briefly explain (with appropriate examples) two (2) ways how lower MU rate might directly impact the patients living in these states as compared with those states with higher MU rates. (5 points each for a total of 10 points)

1. As stated in module 4, the idea is to make use of and leverage EHR. On a basic level, this means that electronic healthcare records must be in place. This is part one of the answer. This is defined in the Module 4-Word document

2. In addition to using EHR, it must be used in a way that leverages the technology in the right and possible way. For this to be achieved, there have to be outcomes like improvement in quality, safety and efficiency, the proper engagement with patietns and families, the improving of care coordination, the improving of population and public health and the ensuring of adequate privacy and security protections. All of this is per the Module 4 material as well.

2. Different states have attained different levels of MU. Briefly explain (with appropriate examples) how these variable rates might impact the providers of these states. Hint: pick two (2) states with contrasting MU rates.

ANSWER- Please complete

Briefly explain (with appropriate examples) how these variable rates might impact the providers of these states. Hint: pick two (2) states with contrasting MU rates. (7.5 points each for a total of 15 points)

1. A state with very high MU rates would serve a patient better since they have the proper technology and are using it. An example would be Utah or Oregon (100%). As previously cited from Module 4, there would be better quality, safety, efficiency, security, care coordination and public health levels.

2. A state that has a lower score either does not have the proper technology in place or, at the very least, they are not properly using it. Examples of these states would be Hawaii (76%) and Idaho (85%). These states are performing at some level of efficiency and good patient outcomes but they are not doing it nearly as well as states like Utah and Oregon, as mentioned above.

3. Name three (3) required objectives for meaningful use stage 1 that hospitals must implement. Briefly discuss how each of these objectives will improve care quality and/or reduce errors.

Answer- Please complete

Name three (3) required objectives for meaningful use stage 1 that hospitals must implement. Briefly discuss how each of these objectives will improve care quality and/or reduce errors. (5 points each for a total of 15 points)

1. Per the table on the fifth page on module 4, one would be maintain problem list

2. Another one would be maintain allergy list

3. A third would be record demographic information. In general, the hospitals have to meet all eleven of the primary objectives and at least five of the optional objectives. There are ten total optional objectives.

Health IT Interoperability and Standards

The Health and Human Services (HHS) recognizes that the actual exchange of health information needs to be both interoperable and electronic across numerous information systems for us to realize a patient-centered, value-driven health care system.

Link 1: HealthIT.gov (2015). Policymaking, Regulation, & Strategy: Accelerating Health Information Exchange at http://healthit.gov/policy-researchers-implementers/accelerating-health-information-exchange-hie

Link 2: HealthIT.gov (2014). Health Information Exchange: Standards & Interoperability at http://www.healthit.gov/providers-professionals/standards-interoperability

4. How were the terms "interoperability and electronic health information exchange" explained under the policy making, regulations and strategies section (see Link 1)?

Answer- Please complete

How were the terms "interoperability and electronic health information exchange" explained under the policy making, regulations and strategies section (see Link 1)? (5 points each for a total of 10 points)

• 1) " . . . refers to the architecture or standards that make it possible for diverse EHR systems to work compatibly in a true information network" (HeathIT.gov, 2013, January 15). For a National Interoperable Health Network this would require integration and interfaces with numerous systems across diverse facilities." . . . per Module 8 docs. Per the link, it would be Interoperability is generally accepted to mean the ability of two or more systems or components to exchange information and use the information that has been exchanged.1 That means that there are two steps to interoperability: 1) the ability to exchange information; and 2) the ability to use the information that has been exchanged.

• 2) "Electronic HIE encompasses a broad array of strategies, technologies, types of exchange, and applications to share information. The use of HIE facilitates better communication and enables more coordinated and connected care across the full continuum of health delivery and payment settings."

5. HHS has developed principles to accelerate health information exchange (HIE). Pick any two (3) of these principles and explain, with examples, whether or not they are aligned with the concept of meaningful use. (You can use the objectives/measures of any of the 3 stages).

Answer- Please complete

Pick any three (3) of these principles and explain, with examples, whether or not they are aligned with the concept of meaningful use (you can use the objectives/measures of any of the 3 stages). (5 points each for a total of 15 points)

1. Security -- This would fit with MU since keeping information secure but accessible is entirely consistent with MU.

2. Meaning is absolutely a part of MU because it standardizes what each term means (and what it does not mean)

3. Services: This is MU because it is about open and accessible information and this a basic and minimum standard of MU

Source: https://www.healthit.gov/providers-professionals/standards-interoperability

Health Information Exchange (HIE) and Standards

The need for data and information access from a variety of sources in order to coordinate care is a national priority. There are benefits and challenges associated with electronic health record integration and interoperability related to standardization and the building of HIE. Review content in Module 8 including exploring the links provided and answer the following questions.