Welcome to the NEW CHUG— your ultimate destination for cutting-edge insights and discussions at the intersection of healthcare and technology.

Our platform is dedicated to exploring the dynamic landscape of healthcare technology, empowering professionals, enthusiasts, and innovators alike with the knowledge and resources to navigate the rapidly evolving field.

From telemedicine revolutionizing patient care to the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in diagnostics, we delve into a myriad of topics shaping the future of healthcare delivery. Whether you’re a seasoned healthcare IT professional, an aspiring entrepreneur in the digital health space, or simply curious about the latest innovations, our curated content, expert interviews, and thought-provoking articles provide a comprehensive exploration of healthcare technology’s most pressing issues.

Join us as we navigate the forefront of innovation, driving forward the transformation of healthcare for a healthier, more connected world.

Have questions or suggestions? Please use the contact button below.

Notifications

Clear all

How often vitals are recorded

MU, CQR, PQRS, etc.

Last Post by Anonymous 1 second ago

5 Posts

3 Users

0 Reactions

105 Views

RSS

akoen

(@akoen)

Posts: 144

Estimable Member

Topic starter

We are wondering how often other specialty clinics are recording height, weight, BMI, BP, and smoking status? We currently are doing it at every visit for all patients to ensure we meet meaningful use, but this is overwhelming and overkill I think.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Posted : February 20, 2013 12:25 am

Mitch Kwiatkowski

(@mitch)

Posts: 111

Estimable Member

Just as an FYI... Prior to this year, it was all or nothing in terms of whether you could claim the exclusion for relevance. If one was clinically relevant for every visit, you had to record all of them or you couldn't meet MU. Starting in 2013, you can claim exclusions on individual vital signs that aren't clinically relevant to every visit. Depending on the specialty and need for each element (which you would have to determine), you may be able to ease up on some of what you've been doing. Here's a link to a CMS tip sheet on changes to MU when Stage 2 Final came out.

Posted : February 20, 2013 2:20 am

akoen

(@akoen)

Posts: 144

Estimable Member

Topic starter

Thanks Mitch….It is not that the vitals are not relevant…they are – we are a surgical practice. We just don't think every patient at every visit needs height, weight, BP, etc. and are wanting to know what other clinics are doing.

Thanks

Amanda

Posted : February 20, 2013 2:41 am

sborchardt

(@sborchardt)

Posts: 218

Reputable Member

The verbiage of the NUMERATIOR: Number of patients in the denominator who have at LEAST one entry of their height, weight and blood pressure are recorded as structured data.

Not sure if that is at least once in the reporting period or calendar year? We tried asking and never received a straight answer.

Posted : February 20, 2013 6:47 am

Mitch Kwiatkowski

(@mitch)

Posts: 111

Estimable Member

Because it's "unique patient", they are counted once during the reporting period, and you do not have to record vitals for every visit. If you're in the first year of MU, it's within the 90-day period. For subsequent years, it's for the calendar year (with the exception of 2014 in which everyone reports on a calendar quarter). I've worked with specialty practices on MU projects, and this is how we've approached this objective.

From CMS documentation:

"Height, weight, and blood pressure do not have to be updated by the EP at every patient encounter. The EP can make the determination based on the patient's individual circumstances as to whether height, weight, and blood pressure need to be updated."

Posted : February 20, 2013 9:57 pm

Share:

24 Forums
9,940 Topics
39.9 K Posts
0 Online
6,470 Members

Forum Icons: Forum contains no unread posts Forum contains unread posts

Topic Icons: Not Replied Replied Active Hot Sticky Unapproved Solved Private Closed

Powered by wpForo Powered by wpForo version 2.4.0