Public comment on the definition of "Meaningful Use"

The Office of the National Coordinator is accepting public comments until June 26 on the initial definition of "meaningful use" proposed by the HIT Policy Committee's meaningful-use work group. Remember, the definition will determine whether doctors and hospitals will be reimbursed for their use of electronic health records with regard to the stimulus package.

The goal for 2011 is to electronically capture information in coded format, report health information and use that information to track key clinical conditions. Some of the objectives are implementing drug-drug and drug-allergy checks, recording vital signs, providing patients with an electronic copy of the record, providing electronic submissions of reportable lab results to public health agencies, and complying with fair data practices, HIPAA and state laws.

Source: Agencies, Washington Internet Daily, Vol. 10 No. 116, (June 18, 2009)