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Meaningful use of electronic health records goes way beyond using systems certified as meeting certain functionality requirements, the proprietor of a home health agency serving Northwestern Pennsylvania testified before Congress on June 24.

"When a cardiologist can see a trend analysis of daily vitals for a congestive heart failure patient living independently at home, meaningful use will exist," said James Fetzner, CEO at Comfort Care and Resources in Erie. "This type of meaningful use does not occur by investing in certified EHRs alone. This occurs when an entire provider network is connected and coordinated around the patient's plan of care."

Fetzner and representatives of other organizations discussed the challenges of small health practices adopting health information technology during a hearing of the House Committee on Small Business' subcommittee on regulations and healthcare.

Fetzner gave several recommendations for establishment of policies, standards and flexible regulations to facilitate the emergence of an interoperable health care delivery system. He also urged a balanced investment of federal economic stimulus funds across the health care delivery system.

"As stated before, the certified EHR is necessary but not sufficient," Fetzner said. "Meaningful use will come from an integrated ecosystem that connects patients with service agencies, with the EHR as one component of that system. Because innovation by nature is unplanned and unpredictable, planting seeds in many different ventures and settings will be the fastest way to create a self-reinforcing network, which will produce a 'tipping point' of development of HIT, including EHR adoption."

For text of testimony from Fetzner and others, click here.

--Joseph Goedert