AHIMA Reaction to Meaningful Use and Certification Criteria Final Rules

CHICAGO, July 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This statement is attributable to Rita K. Bowen, President, AHIMA Board of Directors:

"The American Health Information Management Association congratulates HHS on the release of final rules regulating criteria for the electronic health record incentive program or 'meaningful use,' and the release of final criteria for EHR standards necessary for vendor products to meet meaningful  use certification.  As the nation's health information management leader, AHIMA and our members know all too well the failure of paper records to meet the demands of today's healthcare decision-making and are ready to ensure the proper implementation of electronic health records.

"With this last hurdle behind us, the health information management profession can move forward with final preparations for implementation.  To that end, AHIMA will perform a thorough review of the final rules followed by a detailed analysis that health information managers can use to implement, interpret and apply the 'meaningful use' regulations governing electronic health records for eligible professionals and hospitals.  

"Adoption of electronic health records has been slow for most organizations.  So, AHIMA looks forward to realizing the potential this provision of the ARRA/HITECH stimulus holds for the health information management professionals our association represents, and for healthcare, overall."

SOURCE American Health Information Management Association