We are thrilled to have each and every one of you here,
so welcome to this first
meaningful use ceremony in Delaware.
NARRATOR: A ceremony in honor of those providers
who have achieved meaningful use in Delaware,
who have taken the first steps towards
revolutionizing the way health care is delivered
to their patients by participating in
the Medicare Electronic Health Record Incentive Program
and switching from paper to electronic health records.
We're here tonight to celebrate those first 23
that have achieved meaningful use
in less than a year's time.
Thank you.
It's not about us. It is not about us.
It's not about my staff.
It's about the providers, it's about the patients,
and it's about improving health care.
That's what drives us here.
We're all very passionate about that drive.
NARRATOR: Electronic health records,
also known as EHRs,
can change the way you and your doctor communicate.
My husband had life-saving
transplant surgery three years ago,
and because of the electronic record keeping,
whoever went into his room in the ICU
was able to come out and immediately log in results
and look at lab results, and so it made me
as his caregiver feel much more comfortable
and much more confident about what was going on,
because I knew that his liver doctor at home
could read those records and comment on the labs
and give direction from even her home,
so that was comforting to me.
NARRATOR: Because using EHRs can help you go from this...
To this.
LEANN LEGG: Our motto is always, put the patients first.
We have to do what's best for the patients,
and we knew transitioning into this,
it was not going to be easy,
but the end outcome was what was best for our patients.
NARRATOR: For these providers, the motto became reality.
It's not just about adopting technology.
It's not just about the physician
getting rid of paper charts.
It's about providing the best care to the patient
in the best manner and in the best streamlined manner
that they possibly can.
NARRATOR: And achieving meaningful use
provides incentives.
PATRICK HAMILTON: Congress and CMS
have acknowledged the fact that
there is a resource commitment that is available
and that providers should take advantage of the money
that Congress has made available through the Recovery Act
so that they can be incentivized
in order to implement these electronic health records
and actually use them in a meaningful way.
In terms of the incentive program,
I always tell doctors who are a little bit hesitant
or resistant to the idea of change
and the implementation of electronic health records
that in 10 to 20 years, we're really not going to be
having this discussion any further.
This is really the wave of the not-too-distant future.
We would have done EMR
regardless of the incentive payments.
It's something we wanted to do,
improving patient care. It's just something like,
"Here's an added bonus on top," so it was nice to see that.
NARRATOR: Working with the Regional Extension Centers
helped these providers achieve meaningful use.
SCHINDELE: The role of the REC practice coordinator
is to act as the physicians' trust advocate
in guiding them through the selection, implementation,
and meaningful use of their EHR.
each and every one of us are patients,
and every single person in this state is a patient,
and it's really all about taking care of people
and making sure we have the best quality of care in Delaware.
NARRATOR: And while the incentives are important,
the benefits are helping to change
the future of our health care system.
The EHR is a tool that we're using to gather data,
to document,
to get information from the hospital,
and all the laboratory tests that we do
all come in through this one piece of equipment,
so instead of rushing around
all over the office looking for things,
it's all right there in front of us.
I think the best resource that we have
are for those MUVers to actually share their story.
Events like the one we had tonight I think are
a perfect example of the ability of providers
that take this program, take it seriously,
understand not only what is needed in order to
achieve meaningful use, but, more importantly,
why using these systems and why
becoming a meaningful user has benefited their practice.
It was wonderful to have all of the state
and national dignitaries attend with us
And recognize how quality improvement is happening
one practice at a time, one physician at a time,
and achieving meaningful use.
Dr. Rubacky,
Dr. Abrams...
NARRATOR: At the end of the day, it's all about
making health care more effective
and providing better care for patients.
HAMILTON: And we hope that you're going out there
and you're sharing your story that it is possible,
that is achievable, and that there are
tangible benefits to doing this
and that this is not just a government program
designed to make you miserable.
There is -- there is light at the end of the tunnel,
and hopefully you'll be able to share that story.
And we always, again, thank you for your commitment
to improving our nation's health care system.
Thank you.