CHICAGO – The Electronic Health Records Association has released recommendations to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology on measurable criteria for achieving "meaningful use" of EHRs.

A second draft of the definition of "meaningful use" is expected at the HIT policy committee's workgroup meeting, which is slated for July 16.

The association calls for 2011 objectives to be based on software and standards that are currently deployed and implemented, with a focus on adoption and use of comprehensive EHRs and recognition of the need for differences between inpatient and ambulatory meaningful use criteria.

"Acquiring EHR technology does not automatically or quickly achieve 'meaningful use' and its intended benefits," said Justin Barnes, the EHR Association's chairman. "As vendors, we understand all too well the complex process of analyzing workflow, configuring systems to meet the needs of each environment and training clinicians. We encourage ONC to allow adequate time for this process so that the taxpayers receive value for their investment in HIT – more efficient and effective care delivery."

"Quality reporting is another area that requires consideration," Barnes said. "Much good work has been done by (the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) and The National Committee for Quality Assurance on quality measures and reporting, and we should build on that, with 'meaningful use' focusing on data collection in the EHR and reporting of quality measures based on resulting EHR data, rather data from than administrative or billing systems. In addition, starting in 2011, there should also be measures to evaluate the use of quality measures for patient care management."

The association also recommends tying computerized physician order entry (CPOE) to electronic medication administration records and targeted order sets for specific chronic diseases.

"We know that CPOE is not likely to be successfully implemented if physicians don't have all the related information they need to make good medical decisions," said Mark Segal, the association's vice chairman. "We believe that 2011 'meaningful use' criteria should reflect an incremental, rational approach to achieving full CPOE over time."

The American Hospital Association and the Association of Medical Directors of Information Systems have also voiced their concerns about tying CPOE  to "meaningful use" in the given time frame and have recommended that the deadline be pushed back.