StarPanel records system achieves key certification
The “meaningful use” legislation requires health care providers to adopt more meaningful and comprehensive uses for electronic health record (EHR) systems to improve quality and efficiency of care.
Meaningful use certification ensures hospitals and other providers’ EHR systems perform with specific functionality equal to or exceeding standards set forth by HITECH.
“We’ve been working toward certification for more than a year, and are pleased to see the efforts of so many come to fruition,” said Eric Boehme, a subject matter expert for certification and meaningful use.
“An officially-certified electronic health record system sets the foundation for meaningful use and gives our health care providers expanded capabilities for patient care.”
Although incentive payments and penalties are both part of HITECH legislation, the move toward broader adaptation of StarPanel and its various components (such as RxStar) fits with VUMC’s longstanding mission and national reputation as a health care information technology innovator.
Meaningful use will improve patient care by enhancing teamwork and communication among all providers. More widespread adoption of EHR use will also improve data collection capabilities, integral for more closely measuring clinical outcomes in real time and for gathering research data.
During August and early September, the Drummond Group, an authorized certification vendor, put both the ambulatory and inpatient EHR systems through testing on 67 of the 70 modules, including privacy and security. For the remaining three modules, VUMC is using certified technology from two other vendors.
VUMC was an early adopter of health record technology, and StarPanel was self-designed and implemented years ago. Therefore, StarPanel was certified as a modular EHR, with each module required to be put through a separate certification process. Some of the modules included technology developed by other vendors, such as HEO and HED, McKesson products.
VUMC was notified of its certification on Sept. 22. All of the modules certified will be listed on the Certified Health IT Product List of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology by Sept. 30.