ehr onc final certification - Department of Health Care Services

suggestions for different age ranges, such as including children under the age of two and
lowering the upper age to ages less than 20 years old (e.g., 18).
Response. As we stated above with respect to the calculation of BMI, we believe
that Certified EHR Technology should be capable of performing this capability
regardless of the setting for which it is designed. Moreover, with respect to whether
growth charts should be applicable to Complete EHRs and EHR Modules designed for an
inpatient setting, we remind commenters that children’s hospitals qualify as eligible
hospitals under the Medicaid EHR incentive program and will also need to demonstrate
meaningful use of Certified EHR Technology. We do not preclude Complete EHR and
EHR Module developers from designing novel approaches to displaying growth charts.
Finally, we concur with the commenter that suggested this certification criterion should
be a baseline. We reiterate that this certification criterion establishes a floor, not a
ceiling, and we encourage Complete EHR and EHR Module developers to include
additional functionality where it will enhance the quality of care that eligible
professionals and eligible hospitals can provide.
Comments. Similar to the comments above, many commenters suggested the
growth chart requirement should include children under age 2. The charting would then
include: weight, length, pulse oximetry, head circumference, and blood pressure (with
percentiles based on age and weight).
Response. For Stage 1, the related meaningful use objective addresses ages 2-20.
In order to remain consistent with and support this objective, we do not believe that it is
necessary at this time to require a capability for charting any additional ages as a
condition of certification.
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