Meaningful Use Stage 1 primarily focused on what aspect of healthcare?

Meaningful Use Stage 1 primarily focused on the capturing and sharing of data. This stage was established as part of the HITECH Act to encourage healthcare providers to adopt electronic health records (EHRs) and utilize them effectively. By emphasizing data capture and sharing, Stage 1 aimed to ensure that providers not only maintained electronic records but also made use of them to improve patient care.

The initiatives under Stage 1 included requirements for the meaningful use of EHRs, such as recording patient demographics, maintaining medication lists, and providing clinical summaries for patients following visits. This foundational focus was crucial for progressing toward more advanced stages of Meaningful Use, which would involve more complex functionalities and integrations, ultimately enhancing healthcare delivery and outcomes.