The known affected measures are record demographics, smoking status and patient specific education. "The underlying clinical data and logic of the electronic medical record system remain sound," according to the Waukesha, Wis.-based vendor.
But for now, GE is recommending clients not attest for meaningful use until the reports are fixed "no later than the end of November 2011," and for customers who already attested to run the reports again after the fix. Below is a letter to GE clients about the reporting issues, first reported by InformationWeek:
"Dear Centricity Practice Solution and Centricity EMR customers:
"GE Healthcare recently became aware of inaccuracies with reports in Centricity Practice Solution and Centricity Electronic Medical Record (EMR) that may affect customers who have attested or are currently planning to attest for Meaningful Use through the Medicare EHR Incentive Program. As your trusted partner in electronic medical records, we want to make you fully aware of the situation and of the steps we are taking to address it. GE Healthcare is moving quickly to correct these inaccuracies, and we expect to have the affected reports fixed no later than the end of November, 2011.
"The inaccuracies that we have identified may affect the results you obtained from the Crystal Reports or Medical Quality Improvement Consortium (MQIC) reporting tools for Meaningful Use. The inaccuracies affect some of the Meaningful Use reporting measures. The underlying clinical data and logic of the electronic medical record system remain sound.
"If you have already attested in 2011, we recommend that you run the reports again for your particular attestation period after we provide the updates. If your results are different from those used for attestation, you may need to evaluate if you have still cleared all applicable Meaningful Use thresholds for the original period or would meet the thresholds for all applicable measures (not only those that may have changed in the initial reporting period) for a later reporting period in 2011. We are working with CMS to identify what you may need to do if the data used to support your attestation have changed, and we will provide you with this information when we release the updated reports. You may also wish to consult your own resources. Please note that Eligible Professionals may attest with 2011 data until February 29, 2012.
"If you have not yet attested and you use only GE Healthcare's reports for your Meaningful Use attestation, we recommend that you delay your attestation until the updated reports are released.
"We have identified a series of immediate steps that you need to take on three specific measures to ensure that your progress towards Meaningful Use can be assessed accurately by our reports. Please click here (a 7-page PDF) to access these steps. For MQIC customers, please see the separate communication on MQIC for additional details on how you may be affected.
"We remain committed to providing you with the tools that you need to achieve Meaningful Use. We understand the complexities of healthcare and apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause you. We will keep you apprised of any changes as we become aware of them.
"If you have further questions, I invite you to reach out to me, your value added reseller, or your account executive."
Michael Friguletto
michael.friguletto@ge.com
Vice President and General Manager
GE Healthcare
