Meaningful use (MU) is a term used to describe the use of health information technology (HIT) to improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of healthcare. In the context of HIM, MU refers to the use of EHRs and other HIT systems to capture, manage, and share patient health information in a way that improves care coordination, reduces medical errors, and empowers patients to take a more active role in their healthcare.

The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) of 2009 was a major driver of MU adoption in the United States. HITECH provided financial incentives to eligible healthcare providers and hospitals to adopt and use certified EHR systems. The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) was established within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to lead the national effort to implement MU and other initiatives to improve HIM.

The ONC has developed a set of MU objectives and measures that healthcare providers and hospitals must meet in order to qualify for financial incentives. These objectives are designed to promote the use of HIT to improve the following:

• Quality of care: MU objectives include using EHRs to generate clinical decision support alerts, track quality measures, and immunize patients.
• Safety of care: MU objectives include using EHRs to e-prescribe medications and electronically exchange health information between providers.
• Efficiency of care: MU objectives include using EHRs to generate clinical summaries and provide patients with electronic access to their health information.

The ONC has also developed a number of other initiatives to improve HIM, including:

• Certification of EHR systems: The ONC certifies EHR systems that meet its standards for functionality and security. This helps to ensure that healthcare providers and hospitals are using HIT systems that are capable of supporting meaningful use.
• Health information exchanges (HIEs): HIEs are electronic networks that allow healthcare providers to share patient health information with each other. The ONC has provided funding to support the development and adoption of HIEs.
• Patient portals: Patient portals are secure websites where patients can access their health information, including lab results, medication lists, and appointment information. The ONC has encouraged healthcare providers and hospitals to implement patient portals.

How HITECH and the ONC Have Encouraged Meaningful Use and Other Initiatives to Improve Quality in HIM

HITECH and the ONC have encouraged meaningful use and other initiatives to improve quality in HIM in a number of ways:

• Financial incentives: HITECH provided significant financial incentives to healthcare providers and hospitals to adopt and use certified EHR systems. This helped to accelerate the adoption of EHRs and other HIT technologies.
• Technical assistance and support: The ONC has provided technical assistance and support to healthcare providers and hospitals to help them implement and use HIT systems. This has helped to overcome some of the challenges associated with HIT adoption, such as workflow redesign and staff training.
• Public awareness and education: The ONC has conducted public awareness and education campaigns to inform patients about the benefits of meaningful use and to encourage them to use their patient portals. This has helped to promote patient engagement and improve the quality of care.

Impact of Meaningful Use on HIM

The implementation of meaningful use has had a significant impact on HIM. EHR adoption rates have increased dramatically since HITECH was passed. EHRs have enabled healthcare providers and hospitals to improve care coordination, reduce medical errors, and empower patients to take a more active role in their healthcare.

For example, EHRs have made it easier for healthcare providers to track patients’ immunizations and medication lists. This has helped to reduce the number of preventable medical errors. Additionally, EHRs have made it easier for patients to access their health information and communicate with their healthcare providers. This has helped to improve patient engagement and satisfaction.

Challenges to Implementing Meaningful Use

There are a number of challenges associated with implementing meaningful use, including:

• Cost: The cost of implementing and using HIT systems can be significant. This is especially true for small and rural healthcare practices.
• Workflow redesign: Implementing and using HIT systems can require significant workflow redesign. This can be disruptive and challenging for healthcare providers and their staff.
• Staff training: Healthcare providers and their staff need to be trained on how to use HIT systems effectively. This can be time-consuming and costly.

Conclusion

Meaningful use is a critical initiative for improving the quality of healthcare. HITECH and the ONC have played a major role in encouraging meaningful use and other initiatives to improve HIM. The implementation of meaningful use has had a significant impact on HIM, including improved care coordination,