Meaningful Use (MU) is defined as a healthcare provider's use of certified EHR technology in a way that can be measured largely in terms of quality and quantity. Establishing meaningful use using an EHR program certified by the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC); healthcare providers can collect incentives, as required by the HITECH Act of 2009. The MU is designed to improve the quality, efficiency, safety of healthcare and help reduce healthcare disparities. This also helps maintain the privacy and security of patients' health information. (EHR Incentives and Certification, 2014) The Meaningful Use goals will take shape in three phases, to be extended over a five-year period. The first phase took place between 2011 and 2012 and involved the acquisition and sharing of data. At this stage the criteria focused on electronically obtaining health data in a standardized format, using health information to track clinical conditions, instigating reporting of public health information and clinical quality measures, and, and finally, on using these materials to engage patients and their families in their healthcare. The second phase will take place in 2014. In this phase there will be a commitment to further exchange of health information, improved requirements for electronic prescribing and integration of laboratory results, addition of patient-controlled data and electronic transmission of all patient care summaries. in various contexts. The third phase will take place in 2016. The objectives will be based on improving the security, efficiency and quality of electronic health records which will lead to better health outcomes. Additionally, patients will have access to self-management tools and decision support will be available for their personal medical records for any errors. Ultimately, Meaningful Use is a very beneficial program for both patients and healthcare providers, and we have only seen the beginning of its work. In the years ahead, we will continue to see more constructive changes in healthcare through phases two and three of meaningful use. Works CitedHRSA. (2014). Retrieved from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: http://www.hrsa.gov(HRSA, 2014)EHR Incentives and Certification. (2014, May). Retrieved from HealthIT.gov: http://www.healthit.gov(EHR Incentives & Certification, 2014)Hamilton, B. R. (2013). Electronic health record. New York: McGraw-Hill. (Hamilton, 2013)