What major change occurred in the meaningful use program under the HITECH Act?

The meaningful use program, originally established under the HITECH Act, underwent a significant transformation when it was replaced by the promoting interoperability program. This shift marked a new approach focusing on the use of certified electronic health record (EHR) technology to improve patient care, streamline workflows, and enhance patient engagement.

The promoting interoperability program emphasizes the exchange of health information and the use of data to support patient-centered care, rather than simply adhering to a set of predetermined meaningful use measures. This change reflects an evolution towards a more integrated healthcare system where interoperability—the ability for different health information systems to work together seamlessly—is a critical goal. By moving away from the concept of meaningful use, which often focused on meeting specific thresholds for technology use, the new program aims to foster innovative uses of health IT that can provide tangible benefits to patients and healthcare providers.