Meaningful Use Spurs Leaders to Take Action

He adds: "The number of complaints and unanswered questions are extensive. Is 'Jump on the Bandwagon, we will fix it later,' the best approach to take with physician relations and technology?"

It's a good question. Some say the answer is "yes."

Organizations must push forward despite uncertainty, taking actions such as hiring IT staff and investing in hardware and software now, says Mitch Morris, MD, national leader of HIT for Deloitte Consulting.

"As healthcare IT leaders move forward with their plans, they will want to develop a clear road map," he says. "A meaningful-use road map should include not only goals and expected outcomes, but also timelines, staffing requirements, and a projection of expected capital and operating costs."

Read more about meaningful use readiness in the November 2010  HealthLeaders magazine story, Meaningful Use: What Are You Waiting For?  And don't forget to check out Philip Betbeze's column, Hoping for Repeal is Not a Strategy.