New criteria for demonstrating meaningful use of electronic records are spelled out in final Phase 1 EHR implementation guidelines. Proposed rules were finalized after a three-month public comment period on draft rules that HHS released last December. Kern Medical Center in Bakersfield, California, took early steps to make sure it could meet the final guidelines. Only 20% of physicians and 10% of hospitals use even the most basic EHR technology, acknowledged HHS secretary Kathleen Sebelius during a news conference announcing the guidelines.”]