Meaningful Use | Overview

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 contained health information technology (IT) grants designed to help improve the quality and effectiveness of health care in America through the expanded use of electronic health records (EHRs). The initiatives specifically aimed to reduce health IT barriers and to incentivize use.

▶ The overall goal:
    all Americans will have access to their personal EHR by 2014.
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In July 2010, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released the final rules outlining the definition of meaningful use of certified EHRs. The release marks a milestone in the advancement for health information technology in this country and serves as a road map for physicians and hospitals.

The meaningful use regulation guides the first two years of the multi-year incentive program. Subsequent rules will be released to govern later phases and to ensure that goals set forth in ARRA – to improve health care quality, efficiency and patient safety – are met over time.
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The five priorities of meaningful use are:
  1. Improving safety, quality and efficiency while reducing health disparities;
  2. Engaging patients and families in their care;
  3. Improving care coordination;
  4. Improving population and public health;
  5. Ensuring privacy and security of personal health information.