Heubusch (2009), Defining Meaningful Use Is Important

¶ … Heubusch (2009), defining meaningful use is important because "it triggers $17 billion in Medicare and Medicaid incentives for the adoption of electronic health record systems." According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, "providers will reap benefits beyond financial incentives -- such as reduction in errors, availability of records and data, reminders and alerts, clinical decision support, and e-prescribing/refill automation." Standards defining meaningful use of EMS technologies must be set for ethical, legal, and fiscal reasons.

Therefore, the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) published a series of white papers on the issue. The nine-part AHIMA white paper series begins with a poorly written overview that does not provide a working definition of terms, offer meaningful use criteria, or any other pertinent data for that matter. Only four pages long, the "Overview of the Meaningful Use Final Rule" is practically useless. The second white paper is five pages long and defines the ARRA meaningful use program as being incentive-based rather than entitlement-based.

Healthcare organizations are not required to apply, but will receive incentive payments. The document defines what qualifies as an electronic health record, as certified HER technology, as well as payment years and periods. A silly table outlining stages from 2011 to 2014 fills in the space that could be used to address the deeper ethical issues related to fair and meaningful use of patient electronic health data. The third white paper is about incentive payments and program requirements. Hospital-based physicians do not qualify for incentive payments.

The fourth AHIMA white paper is about meaningful use and HER certification. Using the same deplorable communication skills as the previous white papers, the author of this one uses vague terminology to discuss the issues related to information technology literacy. Standards, implementation specifications, certification criteria, qualified electronic health record, complete EHR, certified EHR technology, and disclosure are all explained in paltry terms. Paper five is the bulkiest of the nine white papers. In fact, section five is divided into two parts. Both parts address reporting measures.

Part 5a addresses Measures Reporting for Eligible Providers. Eligibility is thoroughly outlined, as are methods of demonstration, and some of the same definitions as appeared in the fourth white paper. White paper 5b is about measures reporting for eligible hospitals. Health IT functionality measures, privacy and security requirements, and the need for public comment are all addressed. Papers 6a and 6b are about clinical quality measures. Paper 6a is about clinical quality measures for providers and it reiterates the clinical quality measures for EPs in terms of the HITECH Act.

Priorities and measures are discussed. A table addressing specific clinical measures is included and addresses hypertension, tobacco use, and weight. Reporting methods and measures are also addressed. White paper 6b is similar to 6z but focuses on eligible hospitals and includes Proof through Attestation in 2011 and the fact that electronic reporting will begin in 2012. White paper number 7 addresses qualifications for meaningful use. Eligibility is again a topic of discussion,.