Final rulemaking issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services includes EHR “meaningful use” definitions associated with hospital eligibility for ARRA incentives. Hospitals and health systems will be expected to incorporate patient-centered IT solutions in order to qualify for stimulus funds.

Final core set requirements for 2011 include:

• Provide an electronic copy of hospital discharge instructions on request. More than 50 percent of all patients who are discharged from the inpatient department or emergency department of an eligible hospital or critical access hospital and who request an electronic copy of their discharge instructions must be provided with it.
• On request, provide patients with an electronic copy of their health information (including diagnostic test results, problem list, medication lists, medication allergies). More than 50 percent of requesting patients must receive an electronic copy within three business days.

Final menu set requirements include:

• Use EHR technology to identify patient-specific education resources and provide those to the patient as appropriate. More than 10 percent of patients should be provided patient-specific education resources.

NoMoreClipboard can help hospitals and health systems implement a patient portal that will satisfy these requirements. To learn more, contact NoMoreClipboard for an online demonstration at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it