Why Is EHR Certification Endangering Stage 2 Meaningful Use?

The clock is already ticking for hospitals, especially those eligible and participating in the EHR Incentive Programs. Stage 2 Meaningful Use is already underway for these hospitals which must complete their attestation during one of four mandated reporting quarters. At the same time, they must continue their preparations for ICD-10 come Oct. 1, 2014.

The convergence of mandate and incentive certainly has repercussions for healthcare CIOs, but before they can even begin their work they need the health IT tools and services in their hands, which puts pressure squarely on the shoulders of their vendors.

“Operationally, the requirements for Stage 2 are embedded in the way we work, but ultimately we are subject to what the vendor makes available to us,” Anne Searle, the CIO of Princeton HealthCare System, told EHRIntelligence.com last month in answer to questions about her organization’s readiness for Stage 2 Meaningful Use.