The NPRM from ONC declares that drug event alerts should not be customized by the end user or the vendor. Today, people live in a world where health care providers have used their FDB drug knowledge and clinical screening capabilities in their own line of profession. This NPRM seems to be short sighted.  Many users have enjoyed the benefits of receiving alerts and severities from the FDB drug knowledge. They wouldn’t consider revising them.

But then, most of the data is used by healthcare providers of different types which differ in their levels of experience, expertise, and access to patient health information. Health care providers also vary in their work environment. Some practice in settings like acute and long-term care, large teaching institutions, and in small hospitals. Their work includes providing specialty care and administering family medicine. Because of this clinical need, many users are urged to revise and customize alerts.

The next issue has something to do with the active maintenance of lists on medication, problem, and allergy. These items are needed for the transition of care situations. The ONC believes it should be actively maintained.

This information is quite critical for the patient’s well-being, thus, this should be updated especially during the treatment course. Making this another requirement to meaningful use will force people to maintain it appropriately.

All these are of the new stage of Meaningful Use which is referred to as the 2014 edition rather than Stage 2. This seems sensible if meaningful use will be extended to three stages.

The higher adoption of the said technology is brought about by the Recovery Act and the Medicare and Medicaid HER Incentive Program. More than 43,000 providers have been given a budget of $3.1 billion to change from the traditional records to electronic health records.

Between 2009 and 2011, the number of hospitals which started using EHRs has doubled from 16 to 35 percent. By 2015, we are expecting 85 percent of all hospitals to be taking advantage of the incentive payments.

The process is taken in three stages. Recently, they have announced the second stage which reflects an ambitious yet achievable goal towards adopting the system. The desire revolves around enabling eligible professionals and hospitals to start progress through EHRs.

The three stages are the following:

Stage 1: This began in 2011 and is the starting point for providers. Meaningful use involves the transfer of data to EHRs to share information. It includes visit summaries for patients and electronic copies.

Stage 2: This will be implemented by 2014. Meaningful use will include standards such as patients being able to access online their health information and health information being exchanged between providers through electronic devices.

Stage 3: This is expected to be executed by 2016. Meaningful use at this time will include demonstrating health care quality being improved.

The criteria are as follow. These are required to be accomplished by the physician:

Moreover, the stages will be calculated within the span of five years. The measurement process may take long depending on the patient’s case. Although it takes for a while, the data is secured with confidentiality and accurateness.

The first stage primarily deals with utilization of certified EMR’s (electronic medical record) major functions. Necessary health information such as visits, immunizations, diagnoses and prescriptions are recorded in documents electronically. It shares information about the patient. Quality measures are also reported through this kind of system.

The second stage enables the physician to use EMR as a tool to receive and send health information like lab results and medicine orders. The functions in stage 1 are still carried over at this period.

The final stage continues to carry out 1 and 2. Patients enrolled in personal health record (PHR) are catered in this stage. It also supports access to the patient’s comprehensive information. Serious conditions are put into high priority.

Electronic health records provide better accessibility than some other form of documentation. If one doctor needs to see the medical records of a patient, the electronic record can be easily sent to him. This method gives patients an easier time when visiting more than one specialist. They don’t have to wait long for their records to be transferred. These electronic records are also easier to read. It’s not easy to read some of the doctors’ handwriting, with the electronic record system, information are better documented and faster to read. It can minimize errors because it doesn’t need to decipher illegible handwriting styles and misspelled words. Electronic health records can help defend health workers in cases of malpractice claims. The patient’s records are readily available and information is easy to obtain. The system serves as a better way to store huge amounts of information. Records are stored in data format and minimize the clutter of folders and paper in the work area.

Technology has made it easy keep medical records in the form of the electronic health records. It makes it easy to access patient information and keeps accurate records and data.

Though there are many challenges, such as incomplete records or issues on the aged population, to developing electronic data storing and sharing effectively, the opportunity and transition to this automated and centralized system never wane. Through this initiative, giving care and treatment by health professionals are promptly implemented and accessing patient information has never been easy. As of July 13 this year, the US government has revealed its updated criteria for the meaningful use of electronic health records (EHRs) and by law, this involves being approved for compensation or reimbursement with the expense of the EHR software by healthcare organizations. To obtain the incentive fees, you need to satisfy the meaningful  criteria such as capturing data or improving health outcomes and then show your compliance. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services – a US federal office that manages Medicare, Medicaid, and other health insurance plan – determines this compliance and may require attestation that is subjected for evaluation and audit, verifying whether each criterion is met or not.

Incentives for qualified professionals and institutions to use the electronic system and follow the national meaningful use criteria have led to a number of favorable results. For instance, numerous doctors and clinics are currently seeking and adopting an EHR system for their service. What’s more, there are EHR service providers for potential clients out there and they help facilitate trainings, marketing guidelines and execution to help interested organizations.