From the beginning, the spirit of the Arizona Regional Extension Center (REC) program has been one of collaboration. This collaborative spirit was recently evidenced by Dr. Antonio Yu's successful Meaningful Use attestation. Dr. Yu is the first REC member to attest to Meaningful Use.

Dr. Yu is an REC and Arizona Integrated Physicians (AIP) member. Early on the REC and AIP formed a collaboration to bring both organizations' EHR knowledge and expertise to REC and AIP members.

Dr. Yu shared that the REC has been very helpful to him on his path to Meaningful Use and he would definitely recommend the REC to other physicians. In discussing his conversion from paper to electronic, Dr. Yu said, "The difference between electronic and paper charts is significant ... I am able to better document, make less mistakes, able to read my notes, follow-up with patients better and communicate with my staff more effectively." 

Dr. Antonio Yu, Susan Yu, Liz Sanchez, Kelly Lynn, Rouzanna Burton

A driving force behind successful EHR usage is always a knowledgeable office manager. This was no exception with Dr. Yu's practice, where Office Manager Susan Yu helped make Meaningful Use happen.  

According to Susan, the conversion to an EHR was very challenging, but well worth it. While she acknowledges the incentives were a motivator to adopt an EHR, she also sees the big picture advantages of adoption. "The benefits [of EHRs] include the capability to share patient information with government, insurers, providers, while keeping information secure and protecting patients," said Susan.

Susan acknowledged that teamwork was a big part of their success. "With the help of AIP and the REC, we were able to work as a team and accomplish this big task of Meaningful Use," said Yu. "Without the REC and AIP, we would not have been able to attest at this point in time."

Additionally, REC members benefit tremendously from the direct technical assistance the REC provides through its collaboration with Health Services Advisory Group (HSAG) and its experienced field support team. Rouzanna Burton, HSAG health informatics specialist, worked with Dr. Yu's practice and very much enjoyed her experience. Burton said that Susan and Dr. Yu's motivation and perseverance were a driving factor in their success. Burton added, "It is rewarding to see how much EHRs help with quality and performance and how satisfied [REC members] are with the outcome"  

AIP's in-depth knowledge of the eClinicalWorks EHR solution, which AIP offers at a discounted rate to its members, provided additional value to the Yus during their implementation process. Kelly Lynn, AIP senior EHR account manager, has worked with the Yus for many months on their implementation. "The collaboration between AIP and the REC has been invaluable," said Lynn. "It's what got us here."  

The REC again wishes to congratulate Dr. Yu, Susan Yu and all members of their staff on being the first REC member practice to attest to Meaningful Use.