How to keep up with meaningful use requirements in GI

Eligible professionals must meet a total of 20 objectives to attest to stage 2 of meaningful use of EHRs, according to CMS. How can gastroenterologists keep up with the demands of MU?

Ask a Gastroenterologist is a weekly series of questions posed to GI physicians around the country on business and clinical issues affecting the field of gastroenterology. We invite all gastroenterologists to submit responses.           
Next week's question: What do you think are the biggest threats to success in the gastroenterology field?

Please submit responses to Carrie Pallardy at cpallardy@beckershealthcare.com by Thursday, November 20, at 5 p.m. CST.

Dr. ChaitMaxwell Chait, MD, FACP, FACG, FASGE, AGAF, ColumbiaDoctors Medical Group (Hartsdale, N.Y.): Gastroenterology practices that prepare well for the EHR onslaught known as meaningful use can prosper. Groups that dedicate resources now to have credible measures of quality to share and understand their cost structure can be prepared to accept financial risk and foster strong relationships with hospitals and insurers. They must take steps to familiarize themselves with MU requirements, ICD-10 coding and new healthcare protocols.

Expert consulting services can be used as a resource to guide through these changes. Developing professional networks with other practices in your area can be used to exchange ideas and information that could ultimately help your practice stay independent. Analyzing clinical and operational data ensures intelligent business decisions and keeps your practice running efficiently. Monitoring clinical data can also result in improved patient care. Communication is important within your practice and with your patients. Implementing a patient engagement tool, such as an online portal, can help your practice meet MU requirements. As always, providing the best patient care should always be the highest priority.

Patrick TakahashiPatrick Takahashi, MD, CMIO and Chief of Gastroenterology Section of St. Vincent Medical Center (Los Angeles): Meaningful use is such an integral part of healthcare that it behooves the gastroenterologist to keep up to speed with all of the dynamic changes relating to this endeavor. There are various outcomes and policy priorities related to meaningful use, revolving around quality, safety, engaging patients, coordinating healthcare, touching base with public health and continuing to provide security for personal health information.

First and foremost, physicians can keep abreast of meaningful use by visiting the official Medicare website. There is a wealth of information here that can guide gastroenterologists down the proper path. Those physicians who have an EMR system can ask their vendor for assistance with the meaningful use process also. Keeping up to speed with all of the "dashboard" requirements will help a practice meet the bottom line in regards to dollars and cents. Because of this, consideration should be given for having a separate office staff member who is well versed with all of the requirements.  

Data capture, data sharing and data analytics are the drivers for meaningful use. Because of the hybrid nature of information technology and meaningful use, a person who has intimate knowledge of both sides would be both productive and preferable. This shift towards someone who understands clinical data analytics is just the tip of the iceberg. This reporting requirement for meaningful use will likely be useful as it pertains to new payment models such as accountable care organizations. Lowering costs while maintaining high quality of care will be the target for healthcare going forward.  

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