Certified Healthcare Technology Specialist (CHTS) Process Workflow & Information Management Redesign Practice Exam

Which of the following actions is required for compliance in stage 1 of the CMS Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Program?

1. Gain full patient consent for treatment

2. Record smoking status

3. Offer electronic prescriptions

4. Submit performance data annually

The correct answer is: Record smoking status

Recording smoking status is indeed a required action for compliance in stage 1 of the CMS Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Program. This requirement emphasizes the importance of collecting specific patient health information as a part of meaningful use criteria, which aims to improve patient care through the use of electronic health records (EHRs). By documenting smoking status, healthcare providers can more effectively identify patients who might benefit from smoking cessation programs and other preventive care measures, ultimately enhancing patient health outcomes. The focus on patient health metrics like smoking status reflects a broader goal of the incentive program to promote better data management and clinical decision-making, ensuring that healthcare providers are not only documenting information but also using it to improve patient care. This requirement supports the overall aim of meaningful use, which includes improving quality, safety, and efficiency in healthcare delivery. The other actions listed are either not specific compliance requirements for stage 1 or apply under different circumstances or stages of the program. Gaining full patient consent for treatment, while important in a general context, is not specified as a meaningful use requirement in this stage, and offering electronic prescriptions is typically associated with later stages of the program. Submitting performance data annually is generally applicable, but not specifically highlighted as a requirement for stage 1 compliance in