Nurse Practitioners and Meaningful Use: Transforming Health Care

• NPs may qualify for Medicaid Meaningful Use EHR incentives
• Meaningful use of an EHR should be approached in a targeted, systematic way
• NPs can use EHRs to improve the quality and consistency of care delivered
• EHRs can help reduce costs through increased efficiencies such as reducing redundant tests
• Clinic experienced far greater benefits than challenges of meaningfully using health IT

This article describes how the adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) and the achievement of Meaningful Use requirements by nurse practitioners (NPs) can transform patient care. By implementing EHRs, NPs can improve the quality and consistency of care while simultaneously reducing health-care costs. This article provides insight into considerations for NP participation in the EHR Incentive Program. It includes a case study focusing on one NP’s experience with the program, who sought to improve the quality of patient care, safety, and satisfaction through health information technology, along with the challenging yet rewarding journey to practice transformation.