There isn’t a week that goes by that we don’t receive a question about the Provider to Patient Exchange or API component of Promoting Interoperability. With the measure carrying a weight of 40 points in the new manner of 2019 scoring methodology and needing to amass 50 points, it is understandably a consideration.
With MEDITECH Greenfield, I was hoping to see some application development so hospitals would have a choice. Unfortunately, the economics of developing applications for patients to choose are quite anemic. Patients should not have to pay for their own health information and almost certainly, are not willing to do so without some other value associated. Even large organizations known for cutting edge development and deep pockets aren’t touching it. Google Health anyone?
When apps are developed, the hospital will have to test the ability of those apps to work in their environment. There is also the scary thought of a hospital being responsible for any breach on an 3rd party app that is promoted. You can check that information out on the HHS website.
MEDITECH does have quite a bit of information on their website. You might want to check it out and check back often.
To me, the key is the wording of the attestation requirements:
Provide Patients Electronic Access to Their Health Information
- DENOMINATOR: The number of unique patients discharged from an eligible hospital or CAH inpatient or emergency department (POS 21 or 23) during the EHR reporting period.
- NUMERATOR: The number of patients in the denominator (or patient authorized representative) who are provided timely access to health information to view online, download and transmit to a third party and to access using an application of their choice that is configured to meet the technical specifications of the API in the eligible hospitals or CAHs CEHRT.
Making certain you have the API component of Promoting Interoperability configured and available sets you up for success with this measure. In addition, keep your portal up and rolling!
