What is meaningful use?

• A. A framework for hospital budgeting
• B. Using certified electronic health record technology to improve quality, safety, efficiency, and reduce health disparities, engage patients and families, and improve care coordination, population and public health
• C. Interoperability of devices
• D. Emphasis on preserving paper records

Answer: (B)

Meaningful use is about using certified electronic health record technology to achieve real improvements in care. It centers on leveraging EHR capabilities to boost quality and safety, increase efficiency, reduce health disparities, actively engage patients and families, and enhance care coordination and population/public health reporting. It’s not just about having digital records; it’s about using those records in ways that measurably improve clinical practice and health outcomes. The other options miss that emphasis on using technology to drive quality, safety, and public health impact, or focus on things like device interoperability or keeping paper records.