Figure 2: Updated Systematic Review of Effects of Meaningful Use Functionalities on Quality, Safety and Efficiency, By Study Outcome Result (% of Studies)
Health IT evaluation studies, 2007-2013 (n=493). Number of studies by meaningful use functionality in parentheses. Positive defined as health IT improved key aspects of care but none worse off; Mixed-positive defined as positive effects of health IT outweighed the negative effects; Neutral defined as health IT not associated with change in outcome; Negative defined as negative effects of health IT on outcome.
Citation: Jones SS, Rudin RS, Perry T, Shekelle PG. “Health Information Technology: An Updated Systematic Review with a Focus on Meaningful Use,” Ann Int Med 2014;160:48-54.
This is a fascinating report on a study by RAND researchers about meaningful use. It shows strong evidence that Health IT improves patient outcomes, specifically quality, safety, and efficiency outcomes.
Michael Furukawa Director at the ONC , and Meghan Gabriel, Economist at the ONC, presented the results from this study in a blog post on HealthIT Buzz. They asked RAND to:
…examine recent evidence on the effects of meaningful use functionalities on quality, safety, and efficiency outcomes. The study was the largest and most comprehensive assessment of the health IT literature to date.
