In the 21st Century Cures Act, Congress identified the importance of easing regulatory and administrative burdens associated with the use of electronic health records (EHRs) and health information technology.
Specifically, Congress directed the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a goal, develop a strategy, and provide recommendations to reduce EHR-related burdens that affect care delivery.
This draft Strategy on Reducing Regulatory and Administrative Burden Relating to the Use of Health IT and EHRs reflects input HHS has received through several wide-reaching listening sessions, written input, and stakeholder outreach.
Based on this input, the draft strategy outlines three overarching goals designed to reduce clinician burden:
- Reduce the effort and time required to record health information in EHRs for clinicians;
- Reduce the effort and time required to meet regulatory reporting requirements for clinicians, hospitals, and healthcare organizations; and
- Improve the functionality and intuitiveness (ease of use) of EHRs.
