Meaningful Use, Essay Example

Introduction

The concept of meaningful use is an important reminder of the value of electronic medical records and health information technologies in supporting an environment of high quality patient care. It is important to address this concept more closely because it contributes to an organization’s acceptance of electronic health records technology and the alternatives that are available to support a climate of high quality patient care and patient privacy. This practice requires the utilization of some forms of data in accordance with specific requirements and expectations regarding data that will support high quality care and treatment for patients (Blumenthal & Tayenner, 2010). This practice is also necessary in order to meet the standards set forth by the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services and its programmatic incentives to receive payments for the services that are rendered. This legislation must be used in accordance with all required privacy laws and regulations regarding the protection of patient information and must be ethically appropriate and responsible in meeting patient needs effectively (Blumenthal & Tayenner, 2010).

Analysis

Meaningful use legislation aims to address the needs of patients in a proactive manner that promotes higher quality care and treatment, but also supports and encourages the gathering of appropriate data and its consolidation into medical records profiles in a confidential yet accessible manner (Jha et.al, 2011). In this context, some organizations may question the implementation of meaningful use legislation because its impact on electronic health records may appear to be too intrusive or inappropriate (Jha et.al, 2011). Sharing personal health information in some situations is a challenging premise, even under specific conditions; therefore, it is important to identify the specific factors that contribute to meaningful use and the type of management that is required to accomplish these objectives accordingly (Jha et.al, 2011). Some organizations may be resistant to meaningful use because it is not clearly understood in regards to how it impacts patient health records and systems over the long term (Jha et.al, 2011). Meaningful use legislation is instrumental in addressing the opportunities that are available to support patients through the effective storage of medical information, along with other factors that may lead to resistance at the organizational level (Jha et.al, 2011).

Meaningful use legislation is a challenging process that requires a new direction in examining the different opportunities that are available to support patients and to protect their health information as best as possible. It is important to identify areas where there might be an opportunity to examine healthcare practices in a different way to meet the needs of patients more effectively to improve quality of care (Estabrooks et.al, 2012). This process requires healthcare providers to be cognizant of the issues that are associated with electronic health records and how to overcome the inevitable resistance that is likely to occur, particularly with the type of information that is recorded and that which is required by CMS in order to receive support (Estabrooks et.al, 2012). Most importantly, it is necessary to establish a framework in which physicians and healthcare providers are able to offer high quality care and treatment in the primary care setting and to be cognizant of the changes that must be made to improve primary care to the desired level (Estabrooks et.al, 2012). This set of practices will provide a basis for evaluating the conditions under which organizations are able to modify their practices and become aligned with the requirements of the organization so that patient care quality is preserved as best as possible (Estabrooks et.al, 2012).  These conditions require a high level of commitment and support from primary care providers so that patient care is comprehensive and so there is an opportunity to examine the different areas in which electronic health records might be supported by primary care objectives that are consistent with meaningful use legislation (Estabrooks et.al, 2012).

Finally, recognizing a physician’s role in shaping the environment in which meaningful use is adopted requires the ability to understand how physicians comply with these requirements and to recognize how to manage the requirements of meaningful use in a manner that is consistent with protecting the privacy of patient information in electronic health records. It is important to consider these issues and to be proactive in making the changes that are necessary to preserve healthcare quality, while addressing other challenges that support the growth of the practice environment to accommodate changes that will improve the lives of patients over time. This practice must also coincide with meaningful use technology and aim to be effective in reaching large groups of patients effectively and with the intent to improve their quality of life through this legislation (McGowan et.al, 2012).

Conclusion

Healthcare organizations are required to address the challenges of preserving quality through effective patient care and treatment that is consistently protected through the privacy provisions mandated through electronic health records. This practice requires healthcare workers to adopt privacy-based principles and other opportunities to encourage positive outcomes for patients that aim to preserve the quality of care that is received. This set of practices also requires nurses, physicians, and other healthcare providers to be mindful of the concepts associated with meaningful use legislation and to use quality-based performance measures in order to accomplish the required objectives of patient care. These perspectives will encourage greater attention to care and treatment to provide patients with an opportunity to improve their lives.

References

Blumenthal, D., & Tavenner, M. (2010). The “meaningful use” regulation for electronic health records. New England Journal of Medicine, 363(6), 501-504.

Estabrooks, P. A., Boyle, M., Emmons, K. M., Glasgow, R. E., Hesse, B. W., Kaplan, R. M., … & Taylor, M. V. (2012). Harmonized patient-reported data elements in the electronic health record: supporting meaningful use by primary care action on health behaviors and key psychosocial factors. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 19(4), 575-582.

Jha, A. K., Burke, M. F., DesRoches, C., Joshi, M. S., Kralovec, P. D., Campbell, E. G., & Buntin, M. B. (2011). Progress toward meaningful use: hospitals’ adoption of electronic health records. Am J Manag Care, 17(12), 117-24.

McGowan, B. S., Wasko, M., Vartabedian, B. S., Miller, R. S., Freiherr, D. D., & Abdolrasulnia, (2012). Understanding the factors that influence the adoption and meaningful use of social media by physicians to share medical information. Journal of medical Internet research, 14(5).