Computerization of Health Records - A Meaningful Use Perspective

The computerization of medical records vis-a-vis electronic health records (EHR) or electronic medical records (EMRs) is probably the most important health information technology (IT) trend in recent days. Even if the health information management arena has been relatively slow recovery in technology, doctors and other health professionals are beginning to see the impact it had on other areas and are prepared to use technology as a tool so.

As the paper begins to disappear, using technological devices to provide safe, timely and logically organized access to clinical information will be more realistic and imperative. Of course, with President Obama's economic stimulus package that offers monetary incentives for the adoption and use of eHRs through Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, no doubt, health care who received a much needed boost.

On February 17, President Obama signed the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) law which qualifies the hospitals and doctors to $ 17 billion incentive payments from Medicare and Medicaid for a period of five years. Under ARRA, in particular the Law HITECH, $ 40,000 $ 60,000 may be available to every physician stating the "significant use" of a CCE.

"It 'an investment that will bring long-overdue step to the computerization of medical records of the United States to reduce duplication and waste that costs billions of dollars in health care and medical errors, which cost thousands of lives each year "said President Obama to the stimulus bill signed on 17 February.

While the exact definition of "significant use" remain to be determined by the Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, the legislation outlined three requirements:


E-Prescription - The CCE must include e-prescribing.

The electronic exchange of health information - The ECA should provide the electronic exchange of health information.

Clinical report quality measures - The CCE must allow the presentation of measures of clinical quality.

In the words of David Blumenthal, MD, National Coordinator for Health IT, "This is the beginning of a conversation that will continue for some time," adding "there is a long way to go" before a final definition of " significant use "is reached. The task of defining the "significant use" is assigned to the working group significant U.S., which submitted its initial recommendations to the HIT Policy Committee on June 16. The key objectives assumed in the initial recommendations vis-à-vis the preamble to three page report and a well-defined, easy to understand matrix are:


to improve the quality, safety and efficiency and reduce health inequalities

to involve patients and their families

to improve coordination of assistance

to improve population and public health

to ensure the privacy and security protection for personal health information

The working group has clearly developed the basis for a stimulating and comprehensive definition that defines the basis for a substantive and concrete vision of transforming healthcare provision stating that it is a progressive engagement focused on results and not just an exercise in implementation software.

The preamble states, "The final vision is one in which all patients are fully engaged in their health care providers have real-time access to all medical information and tools to help ensure the quality and safety of care provided, while providing better access and star of the North elimination of health inequalities.''This must guide our key policy objectives, care advanced processes necessary to achieve them, and finally, the specific use of information technologies that enable the desired results, and our ability to control them. "

Of course, technology will play an important role in the realization of this vision, which is highlighted by the working group soon call for the adoption of EHR and computerized physician order entry (CPOE), including time-and savings as the electronic transmission of prescriptions eligible and incorporation of the results of laboratory tests in eHRs.

According to a report by the Institute of Medicine, an estimated 100,000 people die each year from medical errors in hospitals. To the extent that these errors are attributed to faulty software systems, companies should focus on providing software solutions that promote health CCE, it uses to improve patient safety reporting and analysis of data and to avoid such errors providing built-in protocols for managing security and risk assessment tools, including early warning systems and alarms.

The functionality of the product a company offers CCE is a key element. At the same time, there are other factors that are equally important towards the adoption of CCE. At the end of the day - no matter how technologically advanced features and a product may be - service and support are critical to the overall ability to adapt, transition, implementation and continual success. Strategies for implementation of sound with emphasis on an "evolutionary" versus "revolutionary" method - taking into account the different needs of users, if the practices and small and large hospitals, clinics and organizations - will be the cornerstone of adoption CCE significant. Indeed, experience shows that successful implementation of customers who use eHRs started early, not only had the luxury of time to implement their part, but have also improved their workflow and quality of patient care in a progressive "significant", and so benefiting from advances in technology, along the road.

In addition, the role of information networks will be essential to improve communication between health organizations. Information and communications infrastructure is essential, as many avoidable mistakes and poor results can be attributed to data inaccessible, lack of properly documented information and the inability of agencies to share critical information in a safe and timely manner. Therefore, the coordination, integration and overall management of clinical information across localities, regions and health care providers is essential if any Healthcare IT initiative is to succeed.

The computerization of medical records is inevitable. The challenge lies not in its needs - whether it should be done. Rather, it lies in the method - as it should be done. Many have and continue to cause concern myriad, if a technology point of view of privacy or security. However, as stated by Dr. Blumenthal, "It 'a path that we must do if we want to improve care through the use of eHRs. If we are for or against it or somewhere in between, we can not deny that the effort towards the realization of "significant use" is a step on the road to EHR adoption and computerization of medical records. With initiatives like those undertaken by the Office of National Coordinator (ONC) under the aegis of ARRA, doctors and other health professionals are beginning to see the positive impact it has had on other industries and are more encouraged to use technology as a tool for themselves. As we progress towards the final vision, using technological advances to deliver safe, timely and logically organized access to clinical information will be more realistic, imperative and ultimately "significant."