Physician Data Analytics and Meaningful Use – Is There Any Relationship?

Last month, I discussed three key benefits of data analytics in a physician practice. So, how does this relate to Meaningful Use (MU)?



Over the past few years, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has been promoting the adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) by hospitals and physicians, along with the “meaningful use” of these systems.

Through the 2009 ARRA Stimulus Act, CMS established a MU incentive program that would pay providers for the adoption and use of an EHR. The CMS incentive payment was up to $44,000 for Medicare providers and $63,750 for Medicaid providers.

So, what does this have to do with physician data analytics? If your practice group is already in the process of meeting the CMS MU Stage 1 criteria, you are already on the beginning pathway for data analytics.

For example, some of the MU criteria include:
• Use of COPE for medication orders
• Drug-drug and drug-allergy checking
• H&P data (height, weight, BMI, BP, etc.)
• Problem lists
• Medication lists

Some of the clinical quality measures (CQMs) include:
• Controlling high blood pressure
• Use of high risk medications in the elderly
• Tobacco use screening and cessation intervention
• Documentation of all medications, including over-the-counter meds.
• BMI screening

When you look at the data necessary to collect the MU Stage 1 criteria and the CQM measures, you have already begun to develop a clinical database that can be used for data analytics.

For example, if you want to analyze your patient data by BMI, age, and blood pressure, the analytics tools can sort and chart the data and then present you with a graph of those patients with the highest combined risk of potential medical problems. You can then use this list to pro-actively improve the treatment, care and outcomes for these patients.

The benefits of MU, CQMs and data analytics go hand in hand. This truly is a win-win for your patients and your practice group!