A new report released by First Consulting Group details recent exemptions to the Stark Act and anti-kickback regulations that allow hospitals and others to donate IT to physicians, and it also highlights remaining barriers and nine implications potential donors could face, Health Data Management reports.
The report, "Loosening the Rules for Hospitals Providing Computers to Physicians," urges hospitals to ensure that donated software is certified by the Certification Commission for Healthcare IT and that it includes capabilities that likely later will be required by the certification body.
One of the most important integration issues in an IT donation program is the sharing of patients' medication lists, according to the report. Sharing the data will facilitate reconciling each patient's medication routine at admission, discharge and change in treatment facilities, Health Data Management reports.
Collaboration with insurers also should be explored as payers "receive huge value from e-prescribing and in many communities have covered start-up and some ongoing costs," the report states (Health Data Management, 1/30).