CMS Releases Stage 2 Meaningful Use Requirements

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Last week, CMS released the requirements for Stage 2 Meaningful Use. As expected, they build upon Stage 1 requirements by making many of the “optional” Stage 1 requirements mandatory. Perhaps the most significant change in requirements is that the reporting of Syndromic Surveillance data is mandatory in Stage 2 for eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals.

For now, eligible professionals are excluded from this requirement because most public health agencies are not equipped to receive data from this group.

Other updates: To qualify, Syndromic Surveillance data must be submitted for all of 2014, the “entire EHR reporting period.” Previously, data only needed to be submitted for 3 months.

For a list of facts regarding the updated requirements, please visit the CMS website.

Maintaining Focus on Community Health Surveillance

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With so much talk focused on Syndromic Surveillance, the overall picture of Community Health Surveillance seems to be getting lost.

Until the Meaningful Use guidelines were developed, the term “Syndromic Surveillance” wasn’t typically utilized. Its connotation is less community-centered and more focused on single issues.

In short, the requirement to achieve Syndromic Surveillance requirements may be overshadowing the bigger view of Community Health Surveillance.

At Health Monitoring Systems, we are planning for the future of Community Health Surveillance by providing our clients with information beyond Syndromic Surveillance.

We can help you to monitor air quality, drinking water quality, poison control center, and chronic disease data—information that provides a well-rounded view of your community’s overall health.

Our goal, like yours, is to provide timely, relevant information that matters most when it comes to overseeing public health. Contact us today to learn more.

EpiCenter Helps Public Health Officials to Investigate Cause of Foodborne Outbreak

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When a foodborne outbreak was suspected in New Jersey last week, Health Monitoring Systems’ EpiCenter Syndromic Surveillance system helped public health officials in the state to further investigate the outbreak’s cause and point of origin.

Three cases of foodborne illness were reported at a major medical center emergency room, leading the Middlesex County Health Department Epidemiologist to contact other local hospitals to see if similar symptoms were reported in their ERs. After running a report through EpiCenter, it was discovered that two other hospitals had admitted patients complaining of the same symptoms.

“We’re pleased that EpiCenter helped the public health professionals in New Jersey to quickly identify the foodborne illness outbreak,” says Kevin Hutchison, Health Monitoring Systems’ President and CEO.

“EpiCenter provides health professionals with the resources needed to manage public health outbreaks in real-time. The success of this detection comes only a few months after our successful collaboration with the state of New Jersey to measure the health impacts of Hurricane Irene—the results of which will help the state and its residents to better prepare for future weather-related health events.”

HMS Software Provides Insight into Solving NJ Foodborne Outbreak

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EpiCenter™ Syndromic Surveillance System Monitors ER Admissions and Notifies Public Health Departments of Outbreaks

(Pittsburgh, PA) — When a foodborne outbreak was suspected in New Jersey last week, Pittsburgh-based Health Monitoring Systems’ EpiCenter Syndromic Surveillance system helped public health officials in the state to further investigate the outbreak’s cause and point of origin.

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