LINCOLN, Neb. - The University Health Center (UHC) at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is sending various electronic reports generated by their electronic medical record (EMR) system to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. The data are provided in a timely manner, allowing the state to monitor public health trends on a real time basis.
“This is the beginning of the future of where real-time data surveillance will go,” said Dr. Joann Schaefer, Director of the Division of Public Health. “Compared with existing surveillance systems that track influenza-like illness on a weekly basis, this automation will provide daily updates.”
The UHC has been using an EMR since July 2006. The EMR is Electronic Healthcare Systems (EHS) out of Birmingham, Ala. which partners with Computer Service Innovations (CSI), from Sioux City, Iowa. CSI provides information technology support as well as consulting and integration services.
“UHC has taken the initiative to align with an organization that will support their needs now and in the increasingly complex healthcare environment ahead,” said David Turner, EHS vice president of sales and marketing. “We are committed to providing comprehensive technology that will continually evolve to meet not only state specific requirements but also the standards and certifications for federal stimulus reimbursement programs. We value our relationship with UHC and look forward to a longstanding partnership with them.”
The ability to provide the state with detailed and timely reports makes it possible for them to show trends in public health such as influenza activity, giving healthcare facilities more time to prepare for illness and adapt treatment plans. It also allows healthcare facilities to meet the criteria of “Meaningful Use” as a part of the Economic Stimulus Package. For Eligible Professionals and/or out-patient care, there are 28 stated objectives and 23 measures required to meet the definition of meaningful use by 2011 when Medicare and Medicaid incentives are scheduled to begin. The stated adoption year goals of the definition are:
• 2011 – Data-capture and data-reporting for key clinical criteria
• 2013 – Capture and reporting of coded-data for use in tracking key clinical conditions
• 2015 – Achieve and improve performance, and support care processes and outcomes.
“This last winter, the electronic health record was instrumental in tracking influenza like illnesses seen in the clinic on a daily basis,” said Dr. James Guest, UHC Director. “By setting the report parameters, we were able to track the number of individuals with influenza-like illnesses symptoms and those diagnosed with influenza. By monitoring these we were able to plan our response to H1N1 outbreak last year. Likewise, we could do this for any set of symptoms or diagnoses. It is really a valuable public health tool.”
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