The Meaningful Use Workgroup is still debating several issues regarding lab reporting requirements before it presents its full stage 2 recommendations to the Health IT Policy Committee, according to an InformationWeek news report.
Topics of debate include whether eligible providers should be required to report lab values, conditions or both to public health agencies and whether electronic health records or laboratory information systems should be responsible for reporting that information, according to the news report. Also at the center of debate is determining how electronic lab reports can be effectively utilized by public health departments.
Stemming from the debate of which electronic system should be responsible for reporting lab data, one workgroup member expressed concern on system certification. "This is a real problem because … today, in the law, it says you have to have a certified EHR. If you then expand that, it means we have to certify all the LISs in the nation — I just don't think we want to go there. There's a lot of overhead with that," said Charlene Underwood, director of Government and Industry Affairs at Siemens Medical Solutions.
However, another workgroup member alerted Ms. Underwood that certification of LISs is already taking place in the industry, to which she responded, "I don't think that was ever the intent," according to the news report.
Read the news report about lab reporting as part of meaningful use.
Related Articles on Meaningful Use:
CMS Posts Clarification on Attestation
AMA Urges Government to Factor in Usability When Establishing Next Stage of MU Requirements
Healthcare Experts Urge Providers Not to Rush in Meeting Meaningful Use
Topics of debate include whether eligible providers should be required to report lab values, conditions or both to public health agencies and whether electronic health records or laboratory information systems should be responsible for reporting that information, according to the news report. Also at the center of debate is determining how electronic lab reports can be effectively utilized by public health departments.
Stemming from the debate of which electronic system should be responsible for reporting lab data, one workgroup member expressed concern on system certification. "This is a real problem because … today, in the law, it says you have to have a certified EHR. If you then expand that, it means we have to certify all the LISs in the nation — I just don't think we want to go there. There's a lot of overhead with that," said Charlene Underwood, director of Government and Industry Affairs at Siemens Medical Solutions.
However, another workgroup member alerted Ms. Underwood that certification of LISs is already taking place in the industry, to which she responded, "I don't think that was ever the intent," according to the news report.
Read the news report about lab reporting as part of meaningful use.
Related Articles on Meaningful Use:
CMS Posts Clarification on Attestation
AMA Urges Government to Factor in Usability When Establishing Next Stage of MU Requirements
Healthcare Experts Urge Providers Not to Rush in Meeting Meaningful Use