Meaningful Use

In following from the previous post, a tentative definition of meaningful use is now available. Many administrative rules remain to be announced. Additionally, a tentative grid defining how “Quality” is to be defined/measured is also available. In the coming weeks, we intend to offer some evolving explanations of “meaningful use” and quality measure definitions over time, and explain how they specifically relate to SOAPware. We at SOAPware, Inc. also intend to start filling in the details and time lines as to the hows/whens of the “meaningful use” process as it relates to the SOAPware EMR. This will be largely presented via SOAPedia. I will initially digress to report the “meaningful use” measures are largely an affirmation and validation of what we have anticipated and predicted would take place, and we are on track to meet the rules within the announced timeframes and schedules.

At this time, “meaningful use” is still a work in progress and a bit of a Shangri-La, but it is generally being built in a predictable and mostly reasonable fashion. “Reasonable” does not necessarily mean the easiest or most cost-effective, but much remains to be defined within details to come. At SOAPware, Inc., we have started the process of creating maps, creating-collecting the proper tools, and offering guidance as to the most effective approaches.

With SOAPware v4, we had a bicycle to elegantly manage the narrative, free-text that served a large base of users very well for more than a decade. Now, we are anticipating the next decade, and are at the base of the "mountain trail" with a new generation of product that is more equivalent to an airplane in that it is able to encapsulate real data within what appears much as free-text. This is one of the key reasons why we are uniquely capable of meeting requirements for meaningful use with a minimum of additional or wasted effort. Long ago, we recognized that narrative, free-text bicycles (i.e. what is delivered within the greater than 80% of EMR’s in current use) would have to be physically, manually carried over the snowy goat trails of the data peaks (i.e. would require duplicate information entry and dual workflows in order to create the necessary data in a form that is reportable).

Of note, some others promising “meaningful use” solutions are arriving at the base of the mountains in large, expensive vehicles that are very flashy, and they are making a lot of noise claiming that they are the preferred means to guarantee passage to Shangri-La. They will probably get there, but we suggest the physician passengers realize the fare could be pricey, and the physicians will be largely creating the roads a shovel-full at a time as they endlessly point-and-click in order to create the real data. But, indeed, just about anything is possible with enough money and enough point-and-clicks. In contrast, we intend to fly over as much of that as is possible, and will soon be providing more real examples rather than just hype.

In recent years, our focus has had to be on building the airplane as quickly as is possible. Its basic elements are in place so that it can fly, and now we can install the advanced avionics (completing e-prescribing tools, billing, registry, portal) and auto-pilots (smarter data items and documentation templates along with wizards to manage) as we complete the basic flight instructions (i.e. our new implementation guides). So, we have no intent of just sending out our airplanes (or throw out a bunch of computers and software and turn physicians into data entry clerks) into practices and expect them to be able to fly.

It is our expectation that our easily achievable, step-by-step guides to flight/implementation within a practical and affordable airplane-like set of tools is what is likely to allow SOAPware physicians to sail over the current industry travel modes that have largely failed to actually arrive at any location close to a Shangri-La in significant numbers. For SOAPware users interested in reviewing the early drafts of these implementation guides, please send requests to lmccraw@docs.com.

Where to start?

At this point in time, having clear goals and plans as to how to manage the change are the places to start. We strongly advocate that physicians assess their medical practice as to its change readiness, and plan the change process (with the help of step-by-step implementation guides). This is far more likely to lead to success rather than prematurely purchasing systems that may or may not be able to deliver much beyond a sales pitch. Clinician leadership needs to precede and lead purchasing decisions.

Successful change is a skill that is carefully-diligently planned and practiced. It is not something stumbled into, acquired from the "right vendor," or mandated from the government.

Few plan to fail, but many fail to plan!