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By Keetah Clouse, project manager for meaningful use attestation, Premier Healthcare, LLC

Premier Healthcare, LLC, a large, multi-specialty group in Bloomington, Indiana, recently attested for Stage 1 meaningful use, having received $810,000 to date for its 45 eligible providers using the Vitera Intergy Meaningful Use Edition, which includes an EHR and practice management system. Keetah Clouse, project manager for meaningful use attestation, speaks here about Premier Healthcare's road to attestation and provides insight into the steps a practice should take to successfully attest. Clouse shares her experience by expanding on the following questions:

• How long has the practice been preparing for meaningful use?
• How were the changes brought on by meaningful use perceived by practice staff?
• Has meaningful use been successful, from Premier Healthcare's perspective?
• How did the practice manage the meaningful use process internally, and what sort of resources did the practice allocate to successfully achieving Stage 1.
• What are the benefits, or intangibles, of meaningful use and using EHRs for this purpose?
• How do you move through the meaningful use process?
• Have you ever been part of such a comprehensive change in healthcare at any other point in your career?
• What are you planning to do with the incentive money received?
• What advice do you have for others looking to achieve Stage 1 of meaningful use?

Access the full article to see Clouse's full responses.