UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Health care providers can have their questions about the “meaningful use” of electronic records and other information technology topics answered at the Rural Health IT Challenges conference, to be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 12, at The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel. There is no cost to attend; the event is co-sponsored by the Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program (PennTAP) and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).
Meaningful use is a federal health care regulation designed to encourage health care providers to utilize certified electronic health records (EHR) technology in a way that improves the quality, safety, coordination and efficiency of patient care; reduces health disparities; and engages patients and families while maintaining the privacy and security of patient health information. It sets specific objectives for health care providers to be eligible to receive maximum incentive payments for Medicare and Medicaid services.
Wendy Moyer, PennTAP senior technical advisor, said PennTAP’s role is to help providers navigate this process through free, targeted technical assistance.
“Implementing health care IT solutions into one’s practice takes planning and time to customize it to their specific needs,” Moyer said. “The conference will discuss some of the pros and cons of the different options available as well as some of the considerations for keeping data secure.”
Angie Singer Keating, chief executive officer at Reclamere Data Security Experts, will be one of the conference presenters. Keating will offer insight about why device security protection is critical in health care — a topic she said some providers know little about.
“My presentation is full of free and low-cost ways to tackle the most prevalent threats,” Keating said. “Attendees will hopefully realize that when IT, clinicians, administrators and executives work together, security can be embedded in ways that are far less bothersome and far more effective than any of them realize is possible.”
Online registration is closed, but walk-in attendees are welcome and can register the morning of the event. For more information, visit PennTAP online.