boo paper 14.docx

Define HITECH Act using the reading: The HITECH Act, which stands for Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, was signed into law in 2009 as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The primary goal of the HITECH Act is to promote the adoption and meaningful us...

Define HITECH Act using the reading: The HITECH Act, which stands for Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, was signed into law in 2009 as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The primary goal of the HITECH Act is to promote the adoption and meaningful use of electronic health records (EHRs) by healthcare providers. It also includes provisions for strengthening privacy and security protections for patients' personal health information (PHI) and increasing penalties for non-compliance with HIPAA regulations. Overall, the HITECH Act has played a significant role in shaping the landscape of healthcare technology in the United States. b. Give an example of how the HITECH Act is carried out in your workplace or clinical setting: In the hospital where I work, the HITECH Act is carried out by ensuring that all electronic health records (EHRs) are secure and protected from unauthorized access. This includes implementing strong passwords, using encryption to protect sensitive data, and regularly monitoring the system for any potential security breaches. Additionally, the hospital has implemented a system to track and report any breaches of patient data in accordance with HITECH regulations. The hospital also provides regular training to staff members on privacy and security policies to ensure compliance with HITECH Act requirements. c. How has the HITECH Act affected nursing? The HITECH Act has had a significant impact on nursing. Electronic health records (EHRs) have become the norm in healthcare settings, and nurses have had to adapt to the new technology and workflows that come with it. While EHRs have the potential to improve patient care and safety, they have also added to the workload of nurses, who must now document patient care in digital formats. Additionally, the HITECH Act has led to increased emphasis on privacy and security in healthcare, which has implications for nurses who handle sensitive patient information. Overall, the HITECH Act has brought about many changes in nursing practice and has required nurses to constantly adapt to new technologies and regulations. d. How can hospitals and healthcare professionals receive incentive payments? Hospitals and healthcare professionals can receive incentive payments by participating in various quality reporting programs. These programs are designed to improve the quality of healthcare services in the United States by rewarding providers who meet certain performance measures and goals. Some of the most common programs include the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs, the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS), and the Value-Based Payment Modifier (VBM) Program. To receive incentive payments, providers must meet the specific requirements of each program, which can include reporting on specific quality measures, adopting electronic health record systems, and meeting certain performance thresholds 6. Meaningful Use (MU) a. Define MU using the reading: Meaningful Use (MU), according to the document D220 Nursing Information Technology, refers to the utilization of certified electronic health record (EHR) technology in a meaningful manner that improves the quality of patient care. The Meaningful Use program was introduced in 2011 as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to encourage healthcare providers to adopt EHRs and use them to improve patient outcomes. The program has specific criteria that providers must meet in order to receive financial incentives, and these criteria have evolved over time to reflect advances in technology and best practices in healthcare b. Give an example of how MU is used in your workplace or clinical setting: MU, or meaningful use, is used in the hospital or clinical setting to ensure that electronic health records (EHRs) are being used in a meaningful way to improve patient care and outcomes. For example, MU requirements may include using EHRs to track patient medications, provide patient education materials, or share patient health information securely between healthcare providers. MU also provides incentives for healthcare organizations to adopt and effectively use EHRs, which can ultimately lead to better patient care and outcomes. c. Identify objectives of meaningful use in your workplace or clinical setting: The objectives of meaningful use in hospitals or clinical settings are to improve patient care, enhance patient safety, increase efficiency, and reduce healthcare disparities through the use of electronic health records (EHRs) and other health information technology (HIT) tools. Specifically, meaningful use aims to achieve the following goals: 1. Improve quality, safety, and efficiency of healthcare through the use of EHRs 2. Engage patients and their families in their healthcare 3. Improve care coordination and population health management 4. Ensure privacy and security of patient health information 5. Improve public health and promote research through HIT By achieving these objectives, hospitals and clinical settings can better meet the needs of their patients and provide higher-quality care. d. How are MU Clinical Quality Measures used in your workplace or clinical setting? MU Clinical Quality Measures are used in hospitals and clinical settings to measure and track the quality of care provided to patients. These measures help healthcare providers assess their performance and identify areas where improvements can be made. Some examples of MU Clinical Quality Measures include tracking the percentage of patients who receive recommended preventive care, like cancer screenings and flu shots, as well as monitoring the percentage of patients with well-controlled blood pressure or diabetes. By using these measures, healthcare providers can improve the overall health outcomes of patients and provide better, more effective care. What are the core requirements of MU related to EHRS? The core requirements of Meaningful Use (MU) related to Electronic Health Record Systems (EHRS) include capturing and sharing patient data in a standardized format, using that data to improve patient care and outcomes, and protecting patient privacy and security through measures such as access controls and encryption. Additionally, providers must demonstrate their use of certified EHR technology in meaningful ways, such as by generating reports on clinical quality measures or submitting electronic prescriptions 7. MU Stage 1 a. Define MU Stage 1 using the reading: According to the reading, MU (meaningful use) Stage 1 is the first phase of a government program that was launched to encourage healthcare providers to use electronic health records (EHRs) in a meaningful way. MU Stage 1 focuses on capturing and sharing data electronically to improve patient care and outcomes. In order to achieve MU Stage 1, healthcare providers must meet certain objectives and measures related to the use of EHRs, such as recording patient demographics and vital signs, and using computerized provider order entry (CPOE) for medication orders. b. Give an example of MU Stage 1 requirements used in your workplace or clinical setting: One example of a MU Stage 1 requirement used in a hospital or clinical setting is the requirement to maintain an up-to-date problem list for each patient in the electronic health record (EHR). This means that the EHR must include a list of current and active diagnoses for each patient, as well as any past medical history that may be relevant to their current health status. This information is crucial for effective patient care and helps to ensure that healthcare providers have a complete picture of each patient's health status. c. What does stage 1 emphasize as it relates to data? In stage 1, data emphasis is placed on collecting and storing data. The focus is on ensuring that the data is accurate and reliable, as it will form the basis for future analysis and decision-making. Additionally, data security and privacy are also given importance at this stage