By 2014, all healthcare records in the U.S. must be electronic, from thelargest teaching hospital, to the physician’s office with only one employee.Electronic health records (EHRs) are mandated by the American Recovery andReinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), which is Public Law 111-5.
The ARRA, or ‘Stimulus,’ as it is commonly called, covers a wide array ofissues in the country. One section of the Act, Title XIII, deals specificallywith electronic health records and was given a subtitle, Health InformationTechnology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH). This sectionaddresses privacy and the communication and sharing of health information, bothof which impact nurses.
The Theory Behind the ARRA
By electronically storing a patient’s medical records, the personalinformation is more secure and healthcare costs are lowered. The ARRA providesincentives to healthcare providers who have implemented and have “meaningfulusage” of EHR by 2014. The Act includes $ 20.8 billion in Medicare and Medicaidreimbursement incentives to help the entire healthcare system convert to andimplement electronic health records.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA), initiatedin 1996, was the first step in protecting patient information. The ARRA takesinformation privacy a step further, while allowing efficient documentation andappropriate information sharing between healthcare providers.
How is it Going So Far?
The current estimate is that 12% of hospitals in the United States are incompliance with the ARRA. There remains much work to be done for fullcompliance.
A recent survey of the effectiveness of the ARRA was completed at theUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. Surveying 16,000 nurses at 316hospitals in four states, the results showed that:
“Implementation of an EHR may result in improved and more efficient nursingcare, better patient coordination, and patient safety.”
Detailed documentation in the EHR provides better communication betweendepartments and outside healthcare providers. This improves better overallpatient care.
Penalty For Non-Compliance
All healthcare providers not complying with the 2014 EHR deadline will bepenalized at a rate of 1%, which will increase up to 5% in subsequent years.The penalty will be reflected in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements to thehealthcare provider.
EHR Benefits
Secure information sharing between healthcare providers in a more efficientmanner Cost saving administrative process Expansion of Health InformationManagement careers to guide the EHR transition smoothly into 2014 Moreefficient and safer coordination of patient care Medicare and Medicaidreimbursement incentives for the healthcare providerThe Next Step
If it has not already happened for you in your nursing position, get ready.Your nursing documentation is about to transition into an electronic form.There are many different EHR programs available to suit the many differentapplications: inpatient, clinic, physicians’ office and more. Everyone mustcomply by 2014 or be penalized in the form of reimbursement.