CAH successfully attest to Stage 2 of Meaningful Use EHR incentive program using MEDITECH

Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center in Odessa, Wash. is the first Critical Access Hospital (CAH) to successfully attest to Stage 2 of the Meaningful Use electronic health record (EHR) incentive program using MEDITECH Information Technology, Inc. administered by Engage, a division of Inland Northwest Health Services (INHS).

"This has been a journey for our staff and patients as Engage has helped us achieve goals to improve care and patient satisfaction," said Megan Shepard, registered nurse and clinical services director for Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center. "By moving to EHR systems and encouraging patients to connect with their health care records online, we're moving toward safer and more user-friendly outcomes."

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented financial incentives for health care providers that demonstrate Meaningful Use of certified EHR technology to improve patient care and safety. The incentive program includes three stages, each with increasing requirements to meet over a period of time to advance to the next stage. Meaningful Use Stage 2 attestations emphasize patient engagement and health information exchange. Engage provides health information solutions using MEDITECH information systems to hospitals, health care facilities and physician offices throughout the nation.

CAHs, like Odessa hospital, are located in rural areas with no more than 25 inpatient beds. Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center is the 10th hospital in the nation out of approximately 1,400 hospitals to attest to Stage 2 and is leading the way in the transition to patient-centered health care.

"As a partner with MEDITECH for EHR software, we want to position our hospital customers as leaders in meaningful use and the delivery and tracking capabilities associated with the incentive program," said Marcia Cheadle, senior director of Meaningful Use and Advanced Clinicals at Engage. "Just a few short years ago, Odessa was using paper medical records. Now, Odessa is one of the shining stars in the country using health care technology for patient-centered care."