BI & Analytics Tools Will Put The Meaning In Meaningful Use

Meaningful Use (MU) entered our lexicon over the last few years centered on EHR software as if the usage of an application was important. Of course MU’s goal is about meaningfully using EHRs to collect and analyze clinically valuable data that will improve patient outcomes. The grand MU experiment will fail unless it produces actionable data that allows EHRs to be more than retrospective document and record-keeping systems.

In 2013, we’re going to see the merging of cloud, business intelligence (BI), analytics, and EHR capabilities into solutions that can start to achieve the real intentions of MU: evidence and data driving clinical decisions, not just documenting them. Numerous start-ups and established firms are offering good BI solutions in the cloud, but most of them are weak at being able to take data directly from certified EHRs. We’re going to see that improve this year.