EHR - Meaningful Use
Omnicell’s new G4 (fourth-generation) automated medication dispensing platform has received ONC-ATCB certification as a Modular Electronic Health Record (EHR).*
Omnicell is the first stand-alone automated medication dispensing system to receive such meaningful use certification, which will support customers in achieving meaningful use objectives of their EHR system as outlined in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to qualify for federal funding incentives.
Background
As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act approved in February 2009, over $19B was allocated through the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act to accelerate the adoption of electronic health records and build a national health information exchange.1
Under the new mandate, eligible hospitals and physician practices that demonstrate “meaningful use” of certified EHRs may receive Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments. Healthcare providers will also be subject to financial penalties under Medicare if they are not using electronic health records.2
The ARRA plan requires EHR vendors to undergo a certification process to ensure that their EHR systems meet the criteria required to support the meaningful use objectives. Omnicell is the only company that offers an automated dispensing system that is Modular EHR-certified and works with all HIS vendors.
Modular EHR Certification Offers Peace of Mind
While Omnicell is not an EHR vendor, Omnicell products interface closely with the hospital’s EHR. “We believe certification is important to provide our customers with peace of mind that our medication dispensing system meets the same stringent requirements as other components of their EHR,” said Randall Lipps, Omnicell president and chief executive officer.
For more information, read the Omnicell press release and visit this website: The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology: Electronic Health Records and Meaningful Use.
*This EHR Module is 2011/2012 compliant and has been certified by an ONC-ATCB in accordance with the applicable certification criteria adopted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. This certification does not represent an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or guarantee the receipt of incentive payments. Omnicell’s G4 OmniCenter 17.0, has been tested and certified by Drummond Group on December 6, 2012, and the certification number is 12062012‐1147‐1. Additional software used: Windows 2008 Server; 7Zip.
References: 1. Blumenthal D, Tavenner M. The “meaningful use” regulation for electronic health records. New England Journal of Medicine. 2010;363:6:501-504. 2. Pear R. Standards issued for electronic health records. New York Times (online), 7/13/10.