The 21st Century Cures Act covers a wide range of health care initiatives, including a requirement that patients have quick and easy access to their electronic health record (EHR) information, like test results. It also mandates that we make certain clinical note types available to patients at no cost, and these notes cannot be blocked (there are patient-focused exceptions to this rule).
To meet this requirement, starting Friday, Dec. 31, HM will automatically share identified USCDI V1 note types via patients’ MyChart accounts, unless the provider deems auto-releasing may cause patient harm. This will give our patients easy and secure access to their important health care information in alignment with Cures Act requirements.
To make sure you and other clinical staff are prepared, we’ll regularly send updates and resources over the next two months.
Here’s an overview of what’s changing:
Clinical note sharing:
- Once finalized, clinical notes will auto-release, unless the provider enters an exception.
- USCDI Clinical Note types will be shared with Care Everywhere.
- Notes will be limited to Signed, Completed and/or Attested Physician Notes and include:
- Consultation Notes
- Discharge Summary Notes
- History & Physical
- Imaging Narrative/Results Release
- Laboratory Report Narrative/Results Release
- Pathology Report Narrative/Results Release
- Procedure Notes
- Progress Notes
- HM, the entity or provider can track shared notes using the new Shared Notes reporting workbench for audit purposes.
- All post-encounter queries will follow current Epic ROI workflows through MyChart, fulfilled by Medical Records.
- When your patients receive your clinical notes via MyChart, they will include standard HM messages, outlining the purpose of the note.
Results sharing:
- Non-sensitive lab results: No change, auto-release after 24 hours post finalization.
- COVID-19 test results: No change, instant auto-release post finalization.
- Imaging studies: Will now auto-release 24 hours after post finalization.
- Bedside BYOD on MyChart mobile app: Will now auto-release after 24 hours post finalization.
- Sensitive lab results:
- Will now auto-release after 24 hours post finalization.
- If you’re concerned that auto-releasing could cause patient harm, when ordering a sensitive lab only, you can choose to defer the auto-release and manually release results.
- Important: Results will auto-release 10 days after the manual option is selected.
