Meaningful Use (WG6)

Discussion of How VistA Meets, or Can Meet,
Meaningful Use, Stage 1
45 CFR Part 170

Official document published in the Federal Register

CMS Topical Web Site

Background discussion

• The texts discusses EHR's as being Certified. It is not yet clear how this certification status will be awarded.
• The criteria herein are just for Stage 1 (beginning 2011). Further criteria are likely to be unveiled as the program progresses.
• Stage 2 will begin in 2013; Stage 3 in 2015
• Professionals must bot adopt a certified EHR, but must also demonstrate meaningful use. Thus just have a system capable of the features below will not be sufficient. They must be implemented and used.

Listing of Criteria for Stage 1 of Meaningful Use

Use Computerised Provider Order Entry (CPOE)

Enable a user to electronically record, store, retrieve and manage, at a minimum, the following order types:

• 1. Medications
  2. Laboratory
  3. Radiology/Imaging
  4. Provider referrals

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

VistA

Maintain an up-to-date problem list of current and active diagnoses based on ICD-9-CM or SNOWMED CT

VistA