While some providers are voicing concern with the meaningful use stage 3 requirements, a group of healthcare organizations is commending CMS for one element of its final EHR certification criteria: requiring a field to list a product's unique device identifier.
Unique device identifiers are alphanumeric codes assigned to every single device. Having such codes — and having a way to track them — can help identify individuals with implanted devices which may be recalled, conduct analyses of device performance and coordinate care for patients seeing multiple clinicians.
A cohort of healthcare organizations including Danville, Pa.-based Geisinger Health System; Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente; American College of Cardiology; The Leapfrog Group and The Pew Charitable Trusts, among others, sent a letter to CMS thanking the agency for including this requirement.
Additionally, the final rule requires including UDIs in summary of care information, which the letter indicates will help providers coordinate care with patients with implanted devices.
"These regulations will help improve safety, outcomes and care coordination for patients that rely on cardiac stents, artificial hips and other life-saving and life-changing products," the letter states.
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