The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT is trying to ensure that providers have ample opportunity to prepare themselves to share patient data as required by Stage 2 of the Meaningful Use Incentive Program. ONC's state HIE Program Policy Office and the Regional Extension Center Program recently launched the first Meaningful Use Stage 2 interoperability criteria training course.
The 75-minute course, called "interoperability Basics" and announced by ONC in a Health IT Buzz blog post Feb. 25, defines the data exchange requirements, explains the necessary interoperability building blocks, outlines how providers can meet the Stage 2 interoperability criteria, and highlights the effect of data exchange on particular categories of care. ONC will roll out four additional interoperability training modules over the next few weeks, which will cover topics such as interoperability between labs and ambulatory care providers, the transmission of information between patients and providers, and the sharing of information with public health agencies. Training course website