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Wed, Aug 26 2009 3:26 PM EST
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Last week was a busy week, with outreach from Dr. Blumenthal, a new meaningful use matrix, and new grants announced.
Timing is everything – meaningful use to be defined in Spring 2010. Dr. Blumenthal announced that the preliminary definition for “meaningful use” of electronic health records will be released by the end of 2009, followed by a 60-day comment period. The final definition will be issued in mid-to-late spring 2010.
HITECH priority grants rollout offer valuable help to healthcare providers in the selection and incorporation of EHRs into clinical practice, and for States to support statewide information exchange with an eye towards nationwide connectivity. The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology will be hosting a webcast to answer questions related to the Health Information Technology Extension Program: Regional Centers Cooperative Agreement Program Funding Opportunity Announcement.
SNOMED CT recommended for physician clinical observations by 2015. The federal advisory panel on health IT standards has approved refined recommendations on how providers may electronically record a physician's observations to qualify for federal recovery bonuses.
Policy committee accepts meaningful use criteria. The HIT Policy Committee’s meaningful use work group released a third version of the meaningful use matrix.
HIE Data standards get initial approval. The HIT Standards Committee has approved recommendations for data standards that support the exchange of patient information among disparate entities. Such data exchange will be a requirement for meaningful use of electronic health records under the economic stimulus law.
Policy committee okays plan to establish multiple EHR certifiers. Multiple entities could provide certification services that attest an electronic health records system meets meaningful use requirements under ARRA.
New report: HITECH in the States: Action Lists for State CIOs issued by the National Association of State Chief Information Officers lists the way state CIOs can improve health information exchanges using ARRA funding.
Be sure to email me at editor@whatismeaningful.com if you have an insight to share, or perspective on the latest news.
