Question

What are the main distinctions between the 3 stages in the development of public health information management systems?

Answer 1

Ans) The Public Health Information System (PHIS), a dynamic, comprehensive data analytic system, was launched as part of our effort to collect, consolidate and analyze data in order to improve public health.

- Stage 1 of the meaningful use program was announced in 2010. It concentrates on EHR data and sharing. Healthcare providers were required to to focus on storing health information electronically in a standardized format that makes it easy to access for authorized providers and patients. Stage 1 also focused on tracking clinical conditions, using EHR to better coordinate care, utilizing information to begin evaluating and reporting both clinical quality and public health information, and using EHR to better involve patients in their own healthcare.

Stage 2 of meaningful use begins in 2014 and broadens the use of EHR software for health information exchange among providers. It will feature further integration for e-prescribing and lab results{,} as well as more extensive sharing of patient care summaries. Those seeking meaningful use incentives will have to continue to encourage patients to become active in their care.

Stage 3 will begin in 2016, though the Health Information Technology's Health IT Policy Committee has released recommendations for eligible providers and hospitals. Stage 3 takes the advancing clinical EHR practices of Stage 2 and perfects them. The goal is to improve the quality of health information exchanged, which will lead to improved health for patients on a large scale. For providers, access to comprehensive patient data will be efficient and easy. Even public health, from chronic disease to the flu, can be impacted and reduced with the help of EHR. The goal of Stage 3 will be a more collated information network, from lab reports to immunization information.