Stage 1: The main focus or objective was Electronic Health Record (EHR) adoption and electronically capturing health information in a standardized format. Also, to use that information for better care coordination and to initiate the reporting of clinical quality measures and public health information.

Stage 2: Promote an exchange of health information sharing between providers and increase patient and family engagement with their health care and EHR.

Stage 3: To improve quality, safety, and efficiency, leading to improved health outcomes and overall improving population health.

When we all started to try and figure out MU and the objectives, the list started out as a very large list of various objectives.  Of course many of the objectives that were set forth in the initial American Reinvestment and Recovery Act in 2009 were designed to improve the overall quality of care for patients.  I know many people initial thought it was crazy and how could we track all that information.  So after many medical specialty societies and Providers had their voice heard by CMS and many members of the government. The list of objectives and the time frame for implementation has changed over the years.

One thing you will see that since 2009 and the initial requirements of reporting is that Stage 2 criteria has been delayed from its original reporting date, and the earliest the Stage 2 criteria will be operational is in calendar year 2014 for Eligible Professionals (EPs) and fiscal year 2014 for eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals.

In stage 1 there were a total of 15 Core Objectives, and 10 menu objectives that EPs had to report on all 15 core and 5 of the 10 menu objectives.

In Stage 2 MU there is a total of 17 core Objectives for and 6 Menu Objectives that EPs have to report on all 17 core and 3 of the 6 menu objectives.

Of course we have to talk about the Clinical Quality Measures (CQMs) as well with this.

• Stage 1 CQMs – EPs had a total of 6 Clinical Quality Measures
  (3 core or alternate core, and 3 out of 38 from additional set)

• Stage 2 CQMs – EPs have a total of 9 of the 64 approved CQMs
  The CQMs you select to report must cover at least 3 of the National Quality Strategy domains

 These domains include:  Patient and Family Engagement, Patient Safety, Care Coordination, Population and Public Health, Efficient Use of Healthcare Resources, and Clinical Processes/Effectiveness.

When reporting CQMs, you must select CQMs that cover at least three of these six domains.

You can find current and future information on CMS EHR Incentive Programs website www.cms.gov/EHRIncentivePrograms .

In 2014, all providers irrespective of their stage of meaningful use will report on CQMs in the same way. The differences in each Core Objective and Menu Objective in later blogs.

Are you looking for help or information on meaningful use, attestation, or pre-post implantation of your EHR/EMR, or training for your staff? Our experts can help you get started quickly and learn best practices. Contact us on our website at www.medmgtservices.com . We can help you find the answer to your questions.