EMR "Meaningful Use" definitions

From the HIT Policy Committee: “EMR Meaningful Use” workgroup's initial recommendations include 22 objectives--most covering inpatient and outpatient care--for EHRs in 2011. These include, among others:*

Use CPOE for all order types including medications

Implement drug-drug, drug-allergy and drug-formulary checks

Maintain an up-to-date problem list

Generate and transmit permissible prescriptions electronically

Maintain an active medication allergy list

Send reminders to patients per their preference for preventive and follow-up care

Document a progress note for each encounter

Provide patients with an electronic copy or electronic access to clinical information such as lab results, problem list, medication lists and allergies

Provide clinical summaries for patients for each encounter

Exchange key clinical information among providers of care

Perform medication reconciliation at relevant encounters

Submit electronic data to immunization registries where required and accepted

Provide electronic submissions of reportable lab results to public health agencies

Provide electronic surveillance data to public health agencies according to applicable law and practice

Comply with federal and state privacy/security laws and the fair data sharing practices in HHS' Nationwide Privacy and Security Framework, released in December 2008.

Source: HealthData Management, June 15, 2009