Electronic health records can only provide a third of the data requirements for Stage 1 “meaningful use” quality measures, according to a recent Computer Sciences (News - Alert) Corporation report. The report broke down the 15 hospital measures into unique data elements and types and sources of electronic documentation needed. “Even hospitals with core systems such as reg/ADT and laboratory who have met the explicit data capture requirements for HITECH Stage 1” would only obtain 35% of the necessary data, the report found. The authors called the remaining 65% “the hidden requirements of meaningful use.”
Two especially difficult challenges were the need for additional physician documentation in the EHR, and for electronic medication administration. The report also indicated that many data elements come from the emergency department or surgical suite, where many hospitals have limited clinical IT.
According to author Jane Metzger, "The basic message is that a minimalist approach to Stage 1 meaningful use will not position any hospital for a future that includes healthcare reform, value-based purchasing, and increased cost pressures and transparency. In short, meeting the quality reporting requirements for meaningful use isn't just a project aimed at the HITECH incentives. It is the future." Via InformationWeek; see CSC (News - Alert) for more on the “hidden requirements of meaningful use."
Ms. Graham is a writer and editor with a current focus on health and wellness. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.Edited by
Erin Monda