Hospitals on track to achieve Stage 2 Meaningful Use

As of June 2013, 68 percent of eligible hospitals purchased vendor software that has achieved 2014 edition certification criteria, but concerns remain that some of these hospitals have yet to upgrade to the most recently certified version, according to a HIMSS Analytics Database survey administered to 418 hospitals between January and June 2013.

About 4,510 hospitals and 405,000 clinicians have registered to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid Incentive Programs, according to data released in July by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT.

While hospitals still need to upgrade their EHR software, 75 percent of respondents indicated that their organizations would qualify for the incentives available through Stage 2 in 2014, the HIMSS report said. Moreover, about 25 respondents indicated that they would invest a minimum of $1 million to achieve Meaningful Use Stage. 2.

“HIMSS Analytics research has consistently shown that organizations are progressing at a steady pace through the Stages of Meaningful Use,” the associate wrote.

In other survey results:

• 83 percent reported that their hospital recorded a full patient demographic information and preliminary cause of death, in case of mortality, for at least 80 percent of unique patients admitted to the hospital or emergency department (ED) during the EHR reporting period.
• Only 6 percent of hospitals reported providing patients the ability to view online, download and transmit information about their hospital admission.
• 26 percent of respondents indicated that they have the capability to record family health history for at least 20 percent of unique patients admitted to an inpatient unit or the ED during the EHR reporting period.

“These results suggest that the industry is moving forward towards Stage 2 Meaningful Use and hospitals will be ready to begin attesting in 2014.  If granted by CMS, the HIMSS-recommended six month extension to the Year 1 timeline will give those hospitals that have not yet had the opportunity to work through all of the required technological components the additional time they need to attest to Stage 2,” the report concluded.