Interoperability Key To Growth
By Katie Wike, contributing writer
HIMSS report indicates interoperability providers’ top priority
According to a HIMSS Analytics report, hospitals are making a good effort to meet the government’s meaningful use requirements despite frustration over a lack of standardization and readiness of external entities. EHR Intelligence writes hospitals are committed to using health IT interoperability as a tool to provide better care for patients. Despite setbacks, providers are making great strides toward clinical decision making based on patients’ complete records.
“Many hospitals view interoperability as a key driver for their continued growth and ability to better serve their patients,” noltes the report, which was based on focus groups and interviews with executives representing hospitals with more than 275 beds. “From an industry-wide perspective, most hospitals possess the tools they need to meet meaningful use Stage 2 criteria.”
The report further found more than two-thirds of U.S. hospitals have purchased technology that complies with the 2014 Edition certification criteria. Additionally, 70 percent of respondents are “actively moving toward meeting meaningful use Stage 2” mandates, while 60 percent have met the requirements for at least nine core metrics. “Despite some significant hurdles and uncertainties, most of the participants had attested to Stage 1 criteria and expect to attest to Stage 2 criteria by the end of second quarter 2014 or during the first half of 2015,” authors of the report wrote.
“With the many positive changes unfolding in our health care system, hurdles remain. Data exchange is a necessity to gain the next level of efficiency, quality, and patient engagement,” said Jon Mertz, vice president of marketing at Corepoint Health in a press release. “As we heard from the report, while health IT professionals are frustrated with the progress, they are progressive in finding ways to leverage their IT investments and create a useful, secure exchange of patient data.”
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