After Figuring Out the Definition of "Is," They Now Tackle "Certified"

The US stimulus bill included a provision to fund hospitals and doctors to switch to electronic health records, though the language of the bill (PDF) says the funds will be for the "meaningful use of certified" electronic health record systems. The Wall Street Journal's Health Blog says that guidances should be coming soon on what the terms "meaningful use" and "certified" actually mean. "Meaningful use is very much on our mind," David Blumenthal, the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, says. "We hope to provide a direction and some specifications in the late spring, early summer."