Meaningful Use Stage 3 (MU3) Objective 8

1. Introduction 

• Purpose: This guide provides comprehensive, step-by-step instructions on how to achieve compliance and obtain credit for Objective 8: Public Health Reporting under the Meaningful Use Stage 3 (MU3) framework. 

• Key Features: Immunization registry reporting, syndromic surveillance reporting, electronic case reporting, public health registry reporting, and clinical data registry reporting. 

2. MU3 Objective 8: Public Health Reporting 

Overview 

Objective 8 focuses on promoting public health by encouraging healthcare providers to actively engage with public health agencies. There are five measures under this objective. Providers must satisfy two of the five measures or satisfy one measure and meet the exclusion criteria for the remaining four to receive credit. 

3. Measure 1: Immunization Registry Reporting 

Requirements 

• Providers must be actively engaged with an immunization registry to:  

• Submit immunization data 

• Receive immunization forecasts and histories 

Exclusion Criteria 

• The provider does NOT administer immunizations to any population for which data is collected. 

• Practices in a jurisdiction where:  

• No immunization registry is capable of accepting the required data. 

• No registry has declared readiness to receive immunization data 6 months prior to the reporting period. 

Steps to Achieve Compliance 

1. Contact Your State’s Immunization Registry:  

• Inquire about the process for submitting immunization data. 

2. Set Up Data Submission:  

• Complete required forms and agreements. 

• Test data submission to ensure accuracy. 

3. Maintain Active Engagement:  

• Continue regular submissions throughout the reporting period. 

4. Measure 2: Syndromic Surveillance Reporting 

Requirements 

• Providers must be actively engaged with a public health agency to submit syndromic surveillance data from an urgent care setting. 

Exclusion Criteria 

• The provider is NOT in a category required to submit syndromic surveillance data. 

• Practices in a jurisdiction where:  

• No public health agency is capable of receiving data. 

• No agency has declared readiness 6 months prior to the reporting period. 

Steps to Achieve Compliance 

1. Contact Your State’s Health Department:  

• Confirm if syndromic surveillance reporting is required. 

2. Set Up Data Submission:  

• Register with the agency. 

• Test data submission for compatibility. 

3. Ensure Ongoing Reporting:  

• Maintain regular data submissions. 

5. Measure 3: Electronic Case Reporting (eCR) 

Requirements 

• Providers must be actively engaged with a public health agency to submit electronic case reports for reportable conditions. 

Exclusion Criteria 

• The provider does NOT treat or diagnose reportable diseases. 

• Practices in a jurisdiction where:  

• No public health agency is capable of receiving electronic case reports. 

• No agency has declared readiness 6 months prior to the reporting period. 

Steps to Achieve Compliance 

1. Contact Your State’s Health Department:  

• Verify reporting requirements for case reporting. 

2. Enroll in eCR:  

• Complete the registration process. 

• Test data submission. 

3. Submit Regular Case Reports:  

• Ensure timely and accurate reporting. 

6. Measure 4: Public Health Registry Reporting 

Requirements 

• Providers must be actively engaged with a public health agency to submit data to a public health registry. 

Exclusion Criteria 

• The provider does NOT treat or diagnose conditions tracked by a public health registry. 

• Practices in a jurisdiction where:  

• No registry can accept electronic submissions. 

• No registry has declared readiness 6 months prior to the reporting period. 

Steps to Achieve Compliance 

1. Contact Your State’s Public Health Department:  

• Identify applicable registries. 

2. Register with the Public Health Registry:  

• Complete necessary forms. 

• Test data submissions. 

3. Maintain Active Engagement:  

• Continue regular data submissions. 

7. Measure 5: Clinical Data Registry Reporting 

Requirements 

• Providers must be actively engaged to submit data to a clinical data registry. 

Exclusion Criteria 

• The provider does NOT treat conditions associated with a clinical data registry. 

• Practices in a jurisdiction where:  

• No clinical data registry can accept electronic submissions. 

• No registry has declared readiness 6 months prior to the reporting period. 

Steps to Achieve Compliance 

1. Contact Relevant Clinical Data Registries:  

• Determine if you qualify to submit data. 

2. Register with the Registry:  

• Complete enrollment forms. 

• Test electronic submissions. 

3. Ensure Ongoing Data Submission:  

• Regularly submit patient data as required. 

8. Troubleshooting Tips 

• Data Submission Issues: 

• Verify system compatibility with the registry. 

• Confirm registration status with the public health agency. 

• Ensure correct data formatting. 

• Exclusion Clarifications: 

• Consult your state’s health department for up-to-date exclusion criteria. 

• Keep documentation to support exclusion claims. 

• Technical Errors: 

• Test the connection regularly. 

• Contact IT support for persistent technical issues. 

9. Support Guidelines 

• In-App Support: Use EHR’s help feature for immediate troubleshooting. 

• Compliance Officer: Consult for regulatory questions. 

• Technical Support: Reach out to IT support for technical issues related to data submissions. 

• State Health Department: Contact for jurisdiction-specific guidance. 

Thank you for following the MU3 compliance process. This guide ensures regulatory compliance while promoting public health through accurate and timely data reporting.