By Scott A. Jens, OD, FAAO
Transitioning to electronic health records improves office efficiency and elevates patient care, but the transition can be tedious and the terms confusing. Here is a guide to online resources to help you and your staff make the jump.
Transitioning to electronic health records is one of the most pressing challenges that optometrists face today. Here are multiple resources designedto help you make that vital transition–andalso to allow you to grasp the full potential for EHR to improve the care you deliver and the efficiency of the practice you run.
Key Points to Remember as You
Transition to EHR
“Meaningful Use” is about the provider: While it’s an extensive and deep pool of information, optometrists who plan to receive payment for MU have an obligation to be completely educated on all aspects.
Resources can help the practice: Whether a new doctor joins the practice or you want to hold a staff meeting, use of official resources can increase the understanding of every EHR user in the practice.
Look to the future: MU is evolving, and forthcoming actions like direct communications and patient messaging will actually help your practice.
My EHR Timeline
This timeline, which is posted on the site of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (www.cms.gov) is designed to determine which year you will demonstrate Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3 of Meaningful Use. It will also provide the length of time you are required to demonstrate MU at each stage, and the maximum incentive payment for each year you participate.
http://cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/ Legislation/EHRIncentivePrograms/Participation-Timeline.html#.UfBObxZ21uX
Benefits of EHRs
There is a primer for providers and professionals fromHealthIT.gov that outlines the basics of EHR. It will help you make better decisions about EHR and offer coordinated care. The site offers six clearly defined steps in how to implement EHR.
http://www.healthit.gov/providers-professionals/benefits-electronic-health-records-ehrs
EHR Incentive Program Overview
This is an eHealth Provider Webinar: “Introduction to the EHR Incentive Program: Overview of Basic Eligibility, Payment Information and Key Deadlines.” The objectives: to assist eligible professions with eligibility and participation requirements and in meeting deadlines and understanding payment amounts.
http://www.cms.gov/eHealth/downloads/Webinar_eHealth_July2_IntroEHRProgram.pdf
Stage 2 Meaningful Use
This is an eHealth Provider Webinar: “Medicare & Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs: Stage 2, Payment, Adjustment & Audits” The objectives: to assist eligible professions in preparing for Stage 2 and 2014 CQMS, as well as certification of EHR systems, payment amounts and audits.
http://www.cms.gov/eHealth/downloads/Webinar_eHealth_June20_Stage2.pdf
The Direct Project
Launched in March 2010 as a part of the Nationwide Health Information Network, the Direct Project was created to specify a simple, secure, scalable, standards-based way for participants to send authenticated, encrypted health information directly to known, trusted recipients over the internet. The Direct Project focuses on the technical standards and services necessary to securely push content from a sender to a receiver and not the actual content exchanged.
http://www.healthit.gov/policy-researchers-implementers/direct-project
Interoperability 2013-2014
This is an eHealth Provider Webinar: “Advancing Interoperability through Meaningful Use: A Refresher Course.” Provided here are a vision of interoperability, a discussion of meaningful use and interoperability and EHR certification.
http://www.cms.gov/eHealth/downloads/Webinar_eHealth_June6_Provider.pdf
Privacy and Security
This is a primer for providers and professionals from HealthIT.gov: “Privacy, Security and Electronic Health Records.” The same Federal health information privacy protections that apply to paper records also apply to electronic health records (EHRs). In accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has set forth standards for protecting the privacy and security of certain health information, whether it is stored on paper or electronically.
http://www.healthit.gov/providers-professionals/privacy-security
Patient Education about Health IT and Access to Medical Records (for consumers)
This is a three-minute video, designed for consumers, from HealthIT.gov: “Giving You Access to Your Medical Records.” It is designed to teach consumers more about the benefits of health IT and how online, secure access to your health record can ensure that you receive the best care.
http://www.healthit.gov/patients-families/video/health-it-you-giving-you-access-your-medical-records
Related ROB Articles
EHR: Your Patient Education Tool
Business Analysis Tools Equip You to Make Informed Decisions About Your Practice
Ease Your Transition to EHR with Comprehensive Training
Scott Jens, OD, FAAO, is the CEO of RevolutionEHR. To reach him: sjens@revolutionehr.com ; or call 877) REVEHR1 x701 or (608) 444-1740.
