Electronic Medical Records (EMR) go beyond the use of scanned images. The meaningful use of EMR software ensures providers and facilities remain HIPAA-compliant and eligible for Stimulus Bill Incentives.
HIPAA Privacy, Security Settings & EMR
The government prioritizes regulating access to Personal Health Information (PHI), leading to strict HIPAA regulations [1] for recording and sharing PHI. The HIPAA Privacy Rule, also known as the Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information, establishes national standards for protecting health information. Covered entities, such as healthcare professionals and facilities, must comply with these regulations or face significant financial penalties. Certified EMR software plays a critical role by meeting Privacy Rule requirements and adhering to meaningful use benchmarks set by the Stimulus Bill (ARRA) [2].
Adopting certified EMRs demonstrates a facility’s commitment to safeguarding patient information and qualifies it for incentives outlined in the Stimulus Bill. For more details, see Understanding Stimulus Bill Incentives for EHR Adoption at eDocScan [5].
HITECH Meaningful Use
What is Meaningful Use?
The term “meaningful use” lacks precise standards but emphasizes the importance of using EMR systems effectively to enhance patient care quality and affordability. The following basic criteria define meaningful use of an adopted EMR system:
The EMR system should be:
- Certified and used for documentation (record-keeping) of patient care and e-prescribing.
- Utilized in a format that supports an electronic health information exchange [3] system for sharing PHI among providers.
- Capable of submitting information on qualitative measures to maintain the integrity of Electronic Health Record (EHR) functions [4].
References
- HIPAA Privacy Rule – Columbia University
- HITECH Act – Saint Louis University
- Electronic Health Information Exchange – UI Health
- Electronic Health Record – AAMC
- Stimulus Bill Incentives for EHR Adoption – eDocScan