Meaningful use creates meaningless strife

One of the biggest topics today in the health care field is that of meaningful use.  Meaningful use is defined as using certified electronic health record (EHR) technology to improve quality, safety, efficiency, and reduce health disparities.  The promise is that meaningful use will help improve patient and provider communication and increase care coordination while maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of patients. However, serious questions are emerging about whether this is actually occurring with the implementation of a variety of new policies and procedures.  In my own practice as a psychologist, instances routinely occur where meaningful use policies are decreasing efficiency and staff/patient communication, not improving it. One example of many includes patients (or their parents) being able to cancel appointments electronically without the front office staff being notified of this occurring.  Staff is told to routinely “scan” charts for canceled or rescheduled appointments, and then contact the patient if this has occurred (to reschedule) instead of the patient being required to contact our office.  Patients/parents can also send notes at any time through the “portal” for providers, which do not necessarily alert the provider of the sent message given assignments to specific and general staff “buckets.”  In situations where staff are ill/on leave, pulled to a different department, or are swamped with other responsibilities, these strained proce...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: Journals (General) Authors: Tags: Tech Health IT Source Type: blogs