If you are reading this blog, you are a heavy internet user. While browsing, you have probably run across several statements of fact that were later proven to be false. Most of you also know about Snopes.com, a website that claims to be the “definitive internet reference source for urban legends, folklore, myths, rumors, and misinformation.” If you hear something, it is always a good idea to confirm this on Snopes.com.
Earlier this week, a friend sent me a quote from Warren Buffett on fixing Congress. I checked this on Snopes.com and found it to be true. Only then did I post this on my personal Facebook page for my friends to enjoy. I learned this lesson after posting false information several weeks earlier and having a friend point out the invalidity on Snopes.com
Healthcare needs a Snopes.com. There are mountains of misinformation out there and it is far harder to determine the validity. Moreover, the wrong people using this information can be deadly to patients. Similarly, attestation for Meaningful Use can be unhealthy for reimbursements.
The answer: use ONC certified solutions. ONC is the CMS equivalent of Snopes.com. They certify the validity of reports and data generated by systems. This is mandatory to qualify for reimbursement under the Meaningful Use program. Without their certification, your systems will not qualify for reimbursements.
If your company is involved in these programs, take time now to learn about certification. Explore the requirements to get certified and stay certified. Once you fully understand the hoops you need to jump through, decide if it is more cost-effective to build or buy. Like Snopes.com, there are a lot of solutions that are just plain false. Don’t waste your money on them.
Would your data pass the Snopes test? What can you do to improve it?
