June 26, 2009
David Blumenthal, M.D., M.P.P
National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
200 Independence Ave, SW
Suite 729D
Washington, DC 20201
Re: HIT Policy Committee Meaningful Use Response
Dear Dr. Blumenthal:
On behalf of the Association of Medical Directors of Information Systems (AMDIS), thank you for the opportunity to respond to the ONC Meaningful Use definition proposal. AMDIS was founded in 1997 as the premier professional organization of physicians responsible for healthcare information technology. Our members are physician leaders dedicated and experienced in the integration of information technology in large, medium and small healthcare settings throughout the United States. Two thousand members strong, AMDIS physicians are the “front line” of applied clinical informatics, experienced in the transformation and enhancement of healthcare via the application of health information technology (HIT). We have been waiting and hoping for the advent of Meaningful Use for a long time. Furthermore we applaud the vision and goals of ONC in defining Meaningful Use.
AMDIS believes it is essential to achieve momentum in the introduction of HIT in America and that the benefits of transformation will enable a new era of healthcare quality, safety and cost-effectiveness.
Therefore, our focus in this response will be on the bigger picture and broad themes rather than detailed item-by-item feedback on each objective and measure. Our recommendations are based on ONC’s specific interest in receiving feedback on the aggressiveness of proposed requirement timelines and how best to frame these measures.
RECOMMENDATION 1: Meaningful use “as seen through the patient’s eyes” should specifically inform objectives and measures. . .
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