government
EMR meaningful use could be impractical, survey finds
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted March 15, 2010
New research from the Medical Group Management Assn. suggests that physicians and group practices view the 25 "meaningful use" criteria of electronic medical records as challenging and impractical.
Respondents to a questionnaire submitted by MGMA in February were asked to estimate the change in physician productivity resulting from the implementation of meaningful use criteria, not including the temporary decrease in productivity that occurs with any new implementation of a new EMR system. More than two-thirds of respondents said physician productivity will decrease. A relatively high percentage of respondents also found specific criteria to be difficult or very difficult, including the proposed requirement that at least eight out of every 10 patient requests for an electronic copy of personal health information be fulfilled within 48 hours.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in December 2009 proposed 25 initial objectives for physicians to meet in order to be deemed meaningful EMR users, a prerequisite for Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2010/03/15/gvbf0315.htm.
