HITECH LEGISLATION

The Health Information Clinical and Economical Health (HITECH) aims to improve the health care delivery as well as patient care throughout the American healthcare system. Attaining the goal for improvement is through the investment of Health IT also called the HIT. The HITECH Act requirements are specifically meant to work towards the provision of the needed technical support and assistance to providers and allow configuration and coordination within among healthcare organizations of various states. The HIT also allows the public health community to establish connectivity in cases of emergencies. The connectivity enables the workforce is properly equipped and trained to use meaningfully the Electronic Health Records (Kempfert, & Reed, 2011).

Reflect on the positive and negative impact

The EHRs programs help in collaboratively building the foundation for benefits of EHR to all Americans as part of a unified, modernized and considerably improved healthcare delivery system. The HITECH Act through the laws of ONC provides the Department of Human services and Health with the authority of establishing programs for improvements in efficiency, safety, and quality care of health care by using the IT and considering the secure ad private electronic exchange of health information and the electronic health records. Healthcare providers have the ability to enjoy the incentives of payment as stipulated by the HITECH Act through demonstrating meaningful use of the EHR Technology (Classen, & Bates, 2011).

Some of the negative impacts that come along with the HITECH Act include the following. The act expects hospitals to implement and maintain the electronic health record systems. Some hospitals may not have adequate capital to purchases the IT systems. 75% of hospitals cite the lack of funds as major barriers. The hospitals also know that those electronic health records require maintenance costs. Other additional barriers include lack of expertise among staff members in the use of Health Information Technology. There is the challenge of the nuclear Rate of Return (ROI) and Physician resistance.

The incentives to EHRs, meaningful use and measurements

To qualify for incentives payment according to the HITECH Act, providers have to demonstrate meaningful use of the certified technology of electronic health record. The rule addresses projected provisions governing EHR incentive programs. It also includes the concept of meaningful use. Meaningful use refers to the requirement of providers in showing that they are using the EHR technology in measurable ways that significantly affect the quantity and quality of service. The first stage of meaningful use set requirements for providers to capture and share patient data. Sharing of the information can be among the healthcare professionals or with the patients. The providers ensure that this information is accessible by other eligible hospitals and professionals (Brown, 2010).

The second stage of meaningful use addresses the issues of secure online access and exchange of health information among providers. It also allows patient engagement in this process of information exchange. The third and final stage of meaningful use scheduled to start in 2017 will involve examining the objectives of meaningful use with the aim of improving healthcare outcomes. The meaningful use objectives measurements are by the proposed rule the determination of the measures and objectives is to maintain the use of HER Technology in the way that leads to the improvement of efficiency, safety, quality and healthcare delivery. The measurements also apply in the assessing the reduced rate of discrepancies in healthcare, rate of patient and family engagement, a rate of coordination and satisfactory results with security and privacy protection on personal health information (Begum, Smith, & Adams Dudley, 2013).

Meaningful use impact the quality of patient care.

The meaningful use and incentives improve patient care through reduction of discrepancies, healthcare quality improvement, and improved efficiencies. The meaningful use program enables patient-centered care. Patients are engaged in their care since they can access their health information (McGonigle, & Mastrian, 2012).

Article

Arlotto, P. (2010). Seven strategies for improving HITECH readiness. (Healthcare Financial Management), 64(11), 90–96.

This article provides a review of the strategies and criteria for preparing for the implementation of (HITECH). The article's theme is to demonstrate meaningful use of electronic health records through capturing the health information in a standard format electronically. Organizations should use the information in tracking patient’s conditions. They should communicate this information in the way of coordinating the care process and should integrate reports. Finally, health organizations have to use the information in engaging patients and families.

References

Arlotto, P. (2010). Seven strategies for improving HITECH readiness. (Healthcare Financial Management), 64(11), 90–96.

Begum, R., Smith R, & Adams Dudley, R. (2013). Small Practices' Experience With EHR, Quality Measurement, and Incentives. American Journal Of Managed Care, 19eSP12-8.

Brown, B (2010) The meaningful use rules of EHRs. Health Care Compliance Journal, 12(5), 49–50.

Classen, D. C., & Bates, D. W. (2011) the meaning in meaningful use. New England Journal of Medicine, 365(9), 855–858.

Kempfert, A. E., & Reed, B. D. (2011). Healthcare reform in the United States: HITECH Act and HIPAA privacy, security, and enforcement Issues. FDCC Quarterly, 61(3), 240–273.

McGonigle, D AND Mastrian, K (2012) the foundation of knowledge and nursing informatics. Education Laureate. Burlington. Jones and Bartlett Learning.

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