Promoting Interoperability (NEW)

TxS2 supports federal programs regarding the Promoting Interoperability (formerly Meaningful Use) of Certified Electronic Health Record Technology (CEHRT) to improve patient care, including the Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program and the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS).

The objectives of Promoting Interoperability include encouraging healthcare providers to improve clinical outcomes and population health, increasing the transparency and efficiency of patient encounters, and developing more robust research data on health systems.

Consistent with federal guidelines regarding Stage 3 Promoting Interoperability, on June 30, 2016, DSHS declared readiness to receive data meeting the messaging requirements in the Public Health Information Network (PHIN) Messaging Guide for Syndromic Surveillance: Emergency Department, Urgent Care, Inpatient and Ambulatory Care Settings, Release 2.0 (April 2015) and the Erratum, available on the PHIN Messaging Guide webpage, as referenced in the 2015 Edition Health IT Certification Criteria, on and after January 1, 2017.

With respect to federal Promoting Interoperability programs, DSHS only accepts registrations from hospitals/hospital systems with emergency departments, and professionals in urgent care centers or free-standing emergency centers at this time.

For entities/individuals not participating in federal Promoting Interoperability programs, DSHS accepts registrations from hospitals/hospital systems with emergency departments, free-standing emergency centers, and urgent care centers.

DSHS did not operate a statewide syndromic surveillance system in 2013, 2014, or 2015.

More information about the TxS2 and the Promoting Interoperability Program is available.