Which of the following is an example of Stage 2 for implementing 'meaningful use' criteria of ARRA?

• A. Advanced decision-support and population health
• B. Submission of 80% of provider orders electronically
• C. Structured data exchange and continuous quality improvement
• D. Use of EHR data to track conditions and coordinate care

Answer: (D)

Stage 2 meaningful use centers on using EHR data to actively manage patient care across settings and to support care coordination and quality improvement. The example that best fits this is using EHR data to track conditions and coordinate care. By tracking conditions, clinicians monitor disease status over time and can identify when follow-ups or changes in treatment are needed. Coordinating care means sharing pertinent information with other providers and care settings so the patient receives the right services in a timely, integrated way, rather than in isolated encounters. This active use of data to drive care decisions and align actions across the care team is a hallmark of Stage 2.

Advanced decision-support and population health are important components of meaningful use, but the wording emphasizes tools and analytics rather than direct, ongoing care coordination. Structured data exchange and continuous quality improvement focus on interoperability and QA processes, which support Stage 2 but don’t as directly illustrate managing a patient’s care across the care continuum. Submitting orders electronically reflects a foundational capability more aligned with earlier stages.