Foundations of Order Entry and AAMA Outreach to Payers (2023 Update)-The AAMA Launches Order Entry Competence Outreach to Payers

The AAMA Launches Order Entry Competence Outreach to Payers

Pdf Summary

The Medicaid Promoting Interoperability Program, previously known as the Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program, will be ending on December 31, 2021. In response to this, the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) launched the Order Entry Competence (OEC) initiative on July 11, 2021. The goal of the OEC initiative is to advocate for the requirement that orders be entered into the computerized provider order entry (CPOE) system by either credentialed medical assistants or licensed healthcare professionals who are competent in order entry.<br /><br />The OEC initiative aims to achieve a decrease in incorrect orders, improvement in health outcomes, and avoidance of costs resulting from inaccurate order entry. The need for the OEC outreach is supported by the history of the Promoting Interoperability Programs, which were created by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act in 2009. These programs provided annual payments to licensed providers and healthcare institutions who demonstrated meaningful use of their EHR systems.<br /><br />One major debate during the initial years of the Promoting Interoperability Programs was who should be allowed to enter orders into the CPOE system. The CMS initially stated that only licensed healthcare professionals should enter orders, but the AAMA advocated for the inclusion of credentialed medical assistants. The CMS eventually agreed and allowed credentialed medical assistants, in addition to licensed healthcare professionals, to enter orders into the CPOE system.<br /><br />The OEC initiative is necessary because accurate order entry and clinically correct responses to clinical decision support (CDS) messages are crucial for patient welfare. The AAMA believes that clinical knowledge is necessary when a clinical order is entered, not just when the licensed provider authorizes the order. Therefore, the AAMA calls for support from medical assisting practitioners, managers, educators, and representatives of the healthcare community to help make the OEC outreach successful.<br /><br />By ensuring competence in order entry, the AAMA aims to protect the health and safety of patients throughout the United States.

Keywords

Medicaid Promoting Interoperability Program

Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program

American Association of Medical Assistants

Order Entry Competence initiative

computerized provider order entry system

credentialed medical assistants

licensed healthcare professionals

health outcomes

Promoting Interoperability Programs

clinical decision support messages