Blumenthal: Stage 2 meaningful use on track

March 09, 2011 | Patty Enrado, Special Projects Editor

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WASHINGTON – As concerns about the preliminary Stage 2 meaningful use criteria mount and the search for his replacement continues, David Blumenthal, MD, remains steadfast in the direction and focus of the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC).

“We’re on track for meaningful use Stage 2,” said the outgoing national coordinator for health IT.

The ONC Health IT Policy Committee’s working groups are actively looking at recommendations for Stage 2. Referring to recent objections by several professional organizations that the preliminary criteria are too aggressive, Blumenthal said, that "having these comments is very helpful and is part of the process; it shows our commitment to continued openness and transparency and making sure that we listen to all points of view.”

[See also: CCHIT poll shows Stage 2 and 3 qualms.]

Blumenthal stressed that, despite the changeover in leadership at the ONC, the policies regarding health IT adoption are Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius’ and President Barack Obama’s policies. He emphasized that Sebelius and Obama remain “completely committed to the HITECH agenda” and have “every intention of continuing the current set of policies.”

One of ONC’s current projects touches on the conclusions of a Health Affairs article, published Wednesday, regarding the benefits of health IT. The article highlighted dissatisfaction with electronic health records (EHRs) among some providers, which impact the ability to achieve health IT’s potential, and therefore the need for studies to document specific challenges and potential solutions to health IT adoption.

Blumenthal pointed out that accessibility and usability of the technology are key. “We believe we have to do everything within our authority to make sure that EHRs and other technologies that we certified and for which we set standards are as user-friendly as possible,” he said.

ONC is actively working with scientific agencies – the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) – and the National Center for Cognitive Informatics and Decision Making in Healthcare at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston – to develop valid and reliable tests for EHR usability. Once the tests are thoroughly vetted and evaluated by all relevant stakeholders, they will be publicly available for providers and consumers of the technology to make informed choices, he said.

ONC and NIST are currently collaborating on projects, with planning scheduled for the spring and into the summer and hearings and workshops being set up. Test releases have not been set, but Blumenthal said to “stay tuned: we are anxious to get these out into the public sector."

In addition to the usability tests coming to market, Blumenthal pointed out that the EHR market is enjoying “vigorous competition” – with 280 companies producing EHRs and modules and 450 certified projects. “We believe that there is going to be a much broader range of choice and some of these products will distinguish themselves in terms of their usability and higher satisfaction that they provide to users,” he said.

As Blumenthal prepares to leave ONC and return to his academic post at Harvard, he said, “I will keep following this area of work with great interest and support this work to the extent that I can in my new role.”

Reader Comments (4)Login to Post a Comment

browniesrn says: Rush to HITECH

March 15, 2011 | 10:39AM GMT

My concern is that with everyone rushing to achieve meaningful use--hospitals, physicians offices, and especially EHR vendors--that we all may be losing site of the bigger picture. I worry that an EHR approved for Stage 1 may not comply with Stage 3 or 4 and we might be scrambling to achieve future requirements. The electronic conversion of our health care system is important and should be done right--it should not be rushed.

skater1 says: re: Blumenthal

March 14, 2011 | 1:21PM GMT

I truly believe in the HITECH act and electronic health records and where the Obama administration and Blumenthal are going. I do wonder at the polital climate out there and where the future of the HITECH act will be. I also worry about rushing things due to the political climate. This should be done right. We should give the vendors enough time to develop Phase 2 and 3. We should also give healthcare organizations and private practices time to optimize Phase 1 before moving on. Quality in healtcare and quality documentation is the aim. This should be a governing principle throughout this process.

bbecker says: Blumenthal

March 10, 2011 | 3:41PM GMT

Regardless of Blumenthal, it would be sad if Congress does not confirm Dr. Berwick for Political reasons, as he may not be cut from the same Washington cloth, but a breath of fresh air aimed at quality and safe patient care would be a relief.
B Becker MD

kmehler says: Re; Blumenthal

March 11, 2011 | 8:26AM GMT

I agree, and the only way for health IT to move into this is through the support of the Obama administration. From now until the next presidential election, and in the months leading up to the mid-term elections in November, President Obama will still have to make the case that the changes in health care coverage imposed by his bill are good for everyone. That includes health IT. A year ago, the CBO stated that 29 percent of premium dollars in the individual insurance market go toward administrative costs. The average policyholder spends about $300 more on administrative costs each year than if they purchased coverage through a group policy. Because this money is going into the pockets of the insurers, the administration (and Blumenthal's replacement nonetheless) need to step up and seriously consider how health IT can and will help all of this in a positive way.