Aria Health Becomes One of the First ''Meaningful Use'' Certified Health Systems in Philadelphia and Bucks County

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Aria Health, the largest healthcare provider in Northeast Philadelphia and Bucks County has been recognized by the federal government and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for adoption of certified electronic health records systems (EHRs) to meet specific goals for quality, safe and efficient patient care.

"Qualifying for EHR meaningful use demonstrates the quality of Aria's IT infrastructure, along with our commitment to quality and transparency," said Kathleen Kinslow, CRNA, EdD, MBA, President and CEO of Aria Health.  "And we are proud to be one
of the first health systems in the city of Philadelphia and Bucks County to earn this designation."

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 included the HITECH Act and the Meaningful Use Final Rule, with over $19 billion to aid in developing effective information technology to help improve the quality, safety and efficiency of health care for all Americans. These laws include incentive payments to hospitals and physicians that utilize EHRs in the process of providing medical care to Medicare and Medicaid patients. "This achievement will give our healthcare providers access to integrated patient information," said Tom Stride, Vice President and Chief Information Officer (CIO) for Aria Health. "It will also facilitate clinical decision-making and improve patient outcomes by obtaining meaningful data."

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the states evaluate health care providers' applications and award the incentive payments. To receive incentive payments, eligible health care providers must show that they are: using certified EHR in a meaningful way, for example, electronic prescribing; sharing information among the health care team to improve the quality of care; and reporting information about clinical quality to CMS or their states.

About Aria Health
Aria Health is the largest healthcare provider in Northeast Philadelphia and Lower Bucks County.  With three leading-edge community hospitals and a strong network of outpatient centers and primary care physicians, Aria upholds a longstanding tradition of bringing advanced medicine and personal care to the many communities it serves.

For more information call 1-877-808-ARIA (2742) or visit www.ARIAHEALTH.org. 

SOURCE Aria Health