09-10-2012
America’s health care system is making progress in embracing health information technology (health IT). That’s according to a July 2012 study by the National Center for Health Statistics, which found more than half (55 percent) of providers made the transition to using electronic health records (EHRs) in their patient’s care. These clinicians are leveraging health IT to achieve the meaningful use of EHRs in order to improve the population’s health, improve patient health and reduce health care costs. Of these providers, more than 140,000 providers in all specialty areas are partnering with 62 Health IT Regional Extension Centers (RECs) in this modernization effort.
“Having a health care system with a fully enabled health IT system requires the work of multiple organizations and the Pennsylvania Regional Extension & Assistance Center for HIT (PA REACH) is an important part of that puzzle in Pennsylvania,” said Anita Somplasky, PA REACH Executive Director. “For the providers we work with, we know it’s difficult to make this transition and we’re passionate about helping them throughout the entire process. We share the same goal with our provider partners – to ensure the highest quality of care for patients.”
Quality Insights of Pennsylvania is the REC grantee for the state of Pennsylvania and governs the PA REACH program. The PA REACH project coordinators serve as advisors, bringing local expertise to translate the complex health IT issues into practical solutions and their support of primary care physicians and other health care providers. Ultimately, PA REACH aims to help providers achieve EHR meaningful use objectives from the very beginning of implementation so that patients can experience the benefits of EHRs sooner.
Although RECs work with all health care providers, they focus on primary health care providers (PCPs). PCPs are essential to the health of the country, working on the front lines to prevent disease, detect it early and manage conditions before they become severe. The integration of health IT into medical practices will improve quality and care coordination for patients everywhere they receive health care. Providers face many challenges when approaching EHR implementation, and PA REACH’s priority is supporting providers in taking advantage of the full benefits of EHRs.
"PA REACH helped us through the entire electronic medical records process. We were not welcoming change, but Matt Armstrong (PA REACH Project Coordinator) examined our practice workflow and assisted us in pouring over contracts until we were able to choose the best EMR for our office needs. We were able to achieve Meaningful Use in just five months from implementation,” said Dr. Natale Falanga from East Stroudsburg, PA. “A year later we are successfully and happily transitioned to our EMR system and we cannot thank PA REACH enough for easing the way."
PA REACH’s expertise is critical for minimizing financial and administrative burdens associated with implementing new electronic systems, especially as interest in and demand for EHRs among patients increases. A February 2012 survey by the National Partnership for Women & Families found that three out of four patients with paper records want their doctor to adopt an EHR. The same survey determined that between 80 and 97 percent of these patients believe that EHRs are useful for improving care in areas such as ensuring timely access to health information, making sure medical records are accurate and improving communication with their health care providers.
These findings reinforce the need to accelerate the rate of health IT adoption beyond the 55 percent found by the National Center for Health Statistics. The week of September 10 - 14 is National Health IT Week and PA REACH is partnering with organizations, such as the Beacon Community Program, Quality Improvement Organizations and State Health Information Exchange Program, to promote the continued adoption and meaningful use of health IT and improve health care delivery. For additional information about National Health IT Week, please visit www.healthitweek.org.
The federal government committed unprecedented resources to supporting the adoption and meaningful use of EHRs. Specifically, incentive payments totaling up to $44,000 (through Medicare) or $63,750 (through Medicaid) per eligible provider are being made available to clinicians that demonstrate meaningful use of EHRs. With the end of 2012, the deadlines for this year’s portion of the incentive payments are quickly approaching. October 3rd is the last day for eligible providers applying for Medicare incentives to receive their full meaningful use incentive payment so start today! Medical practices are encouraged to act now and take advantage of PA REACH’s expertise in providing scalable solutions for achieving EHR meaningful use, which is the foundation of successful EHR implementation.