HIMSS11 Focuses on Meaningful Use for Medical Clinical Practices

In just five days, I will be participating in the biggest health IT event of the year, the 2011 Annual HIMSS Conference & Exposition. I think I am ready…hmm let’s see now, I packed my clothes, updated my schedule, charged all my devices, and most importantly, packed several pairs of my newly broken-in walking shoes, Yes, I am ready to go!!One of the key themes for HIMSS11 is Achieving Meaningful Use. Our ambulatory medical practice and clinic attendees can learn how they can plan to achieve Stage 1 of the meaningful use EHR incentive program. We will offer over 50 education sessions on meaningful use from the more than 400 education sessions.

Those that need a primer on meaningful use should consider attending the “Achieving Meaningful Use from Theory into Practice” symposia on Feb. 20 from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. in room 304C at the Orange County Convention Center. (Additional registration and fee required.) This really is a must-attend program for those that need to learn about the incentive program requirements in detail and are considering qualifying for Stage 1 of the meaningful use program.

In addition to our keynote sessions, several others may also appeal to you:

Session #9 – Meaningful Use and the Patient-Centered Medical Home: Present and Future                                                                                                                  Monday, Feb. 21, 9:45 – 10:45 a.m., Room 304A                                                                       Christine Dymek, Director, Data Collection and Information Products, NCQA                                                                                                                                                 Tricia Marine Barrett, Vice President, Product Development, National Committee for Quality Assurance

Session #28 – Orchestrating a Response to Meaningful Use By Making MUSIC                                                                                                                                   Monday, Feb. 21, 11 a.m. – noon, Room 304A                                                                           Jenifer Jarriel, MBA, FHIMSS, Vice President, Information Technology, CIO, Baylor College of Medicine                                                                                                                           Jeffrey Steinbauer, MD, Chief Medical Information Officer, Baylor Clinic, Room

Session #220 – Optimize Your Ambulatory EHR Deployment to Maximize ARRA Stimulus Payments                                                                                           Thursday, Feb. 24, 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m., Room 304A                                                    James Gaddis, MBA, FHIMSS, Director, HIMformatics, LLC

I don’t want to forget the very busy and dynamic exhibit floor with over 900 health IT vendors, 300 of which are first-time exhibitors. Specialty pavilions include:

• Social Media Center - Booth # 7981

• New & Emerging Technology Pavilion – Booth # 218

• HIMSS11 Interoperability Showcase; visit the leading organizations and vendors working in collaboration to Break the Barriers to Interoperable Healthcare. The IHE Booth is #7343 in Hall E.

I hope I can meet many of you at HIMSS Central, where you can learn about our volunteer committees, groups and work products. I will leave my business cards at HIMSS Central, and I will be tweeting about the conference at HIMSS11#. Follow me @mgriskewicz on Twitter.

I invite you to come and meet me at the HIMSS Connected Communities Open House on Monday evening, Feb. 21, from 5-6 p.m. in the Valencia Ballroom Foyer at the Orange County Convention Center. I will be at the Ambulatory Committee table; just look for the green alligator!

See you in Orlando at HIMSS11!