system to one that is fully electronic will result in interconnected and interoperable systems nationwide resulting in significant benefits to the patient (Murphy, 2010). The adaptation of nurses to these technological changes offers enhanced information access and ultimately may lead to improved patient care (Ozbolt & Saba, 2008). As the largest group of health care workers to interact with the EHR, nurses are well positioned to impact the quality, efficiency, and cost of health care (Murphy, 2010). The purpose of this paper is to provide a synopsis of meaningful use and the significance of this government initiative to health care. A clear overview of the legislation including analysis of the implications to health care and the field of nursing is provided. Interviews with key stakeholders provide insight to the significance of meaningful use. Additional stakeholders are identified and their positions regarding meaningful use are put forth. Finally, political strategies are identified which could impact the legislation. Description & Relevance The HITECH provision of the ARRA has allocated $19.2 billion in incentives to enhance the adoption of health information technology (McCartney, 2011). This provision is the legislative source for the meaningful use initiative. The HITECH provision of the ARRA authorizes the CMS to provide reimbursement incentives to hospitals and providers to become meaningful users of EHRs (Murphy, 2010). Many hospitals and providers are scrambling to meet the criteria of meaningful use in attempt to capture incentive funds and avoid future financial penalties. According to Murphy (2010) President George W. Bush addressed the need for further development of health information technology in his 2004 State of the Union address. In this speech President Bush set the goal of 2014 for every American to have an EHR. This timeline
system to one that is fully electronic will result in interconnected and interoperable systems nationwide resulting in significant benefits to the patient (Murphy, 2010). The adaptation of nurses to these technological changes offers enhanced information access and ultimately may lead to improved patient care (Ozbolt & Saba, 2008). As the largest group of health care workers to interact with the EHR, nurses are well positioned to impact the quality, efficiency, and cost of health care (Murphy, 2010). The purpose of this paper is to provide a synopsis of meaningful use and the significance of this government initiative to health care. A clear overview of the legislation including analysis of the implications to health care and the field of nursing is provided. Interviews with key stakeholders provide insight to the significance of meaningful use. Additional stakeholders are identified and their positions regarding meaningful use are put forth. Finally, political strategies are identified which could impact the legislation. Description & Relevance The HITECH provision of the ARRA has allocated $19.2 billion in incentives to enhance the adoption of health information technology (McCartney, 2011). This provision is the legislative source for the meaningful use initiative. The HITECH provision of the ARRA authorizes the CMS to provide reimbursement incentives to hospitals and providers to become meaningful users of EHRs (Murphy, 2010). Many hospitals and providers are scrambling to meet the criteria of meaningful use in attempt to capture incentive funds and avoid future financial penalties. According to Murphy (2010) President George W. Bush addressed the need for further development of health information technology in his 2004 State of the Union address. In this speech President Bush set the goal of 2014 for every American to have an EHR. This timeline