Source: Denver Business Journal

A federal advisory panel is recommending that the government give hospitals and doctors offices an additional two years to get their electronic medical record systems in order. The Health Information Technology Committee, which advises the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, voted 12-5 Wednesday June 8 to recommend that the department push its deadline for stage 2 “meaningful use” requirements from next year to 2014.

“Meaningful use” refers to a wide range of guidelines aimed at making sure health care providers are properly using electronic health records in their day-to-day operations, which supporters claim will reduce medical errors, improve overall patient care and save money. Failure to meet meaningful-use standards could lead to cuts in Medicare reimbursement, starting in 2014. Continue reading…