In a letter sent to National Coordinator Karen DeSalvo, MD, a coalition of 35 medical groups led by the American Medical Association proposed a laundry list of changes to the controversial meaningful use EHR incentive program.
The coalition wrote meaningful use, if it continues on its current trajectory, could harm patients. "We believe the meaningful use certification requirements are contributing to EHR system problems, and we are worried about the downstream effects on patient safety. Physician informaticists and vendors have reported to us that meaningful use certification has become the priority in health IT design at the expense of meeting physician customers' needs, patient safety and product innovation," the letter wrote.
The letter outlines seven changes to the meaningful use and EHR certification.
1. Decouple EHR certification from the meaningful use program.
2. Reconsider alternative software testing methods.
3. Establish greater transparency and uniformity on user centered design testing and process results.
4. Incorporate exception handling into EHR certification.
5. Develop consolidated clinical document architecture guidance and tests to support exchange.
6. Seek further stakeholder feedback.
7. Increase education on EHR implementation.
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