The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced
the first 20 EHR products to be certified as meeting
national standards for functionality, interoperability and
security.
The products, designed to be used in doctor's offices, were
certified by the Commission for Healthcare Information
Technology.
That commission was created in 2004 by three industry groups as
a voluntary, private-sector organization to certify health information technology products.
The certification program aims to reduce physicians' risks in
making health IT investments, ensure the
interoperability of products and protect the privacy of patient
information.
HHS secretary Mike Leavitt said the certification process means
that "the possibility of doctors making a mistake in purchasing a
system would be drastically reduced."
He also noted that the federal government -- the largest
purchaser of health care in the country -- will make the use of
certified systems "a condition of doing business" with U.S.
agencies over time.
"We're quickly reaching the day when we no longer have to talk
about why health IT is important," Leavitt said. "We do need to
keep talking about the importance of interoperability."
Vendors whose ambulatory EHR products received certification
include Allscripts LLC, Cerner Corp., eClinicalWorks, Epic Systems
Corp., GE Healthcare, McKesson Corp. and Misys Healthcare
Systems.
Commission Chairman Mark Leavitt, who is not related to the HHS
secretary, said that the products had to meet all of the 250
criteria established for functionality. Although he declined to say
whether any products submitted for testing failed certification,
Leavitt did say that more than 24 sought certification.
With 20 now certified, tests still are under way on some of the
other submissions, he said.
The certification is valid for three years, he said. After that,
the companies will need to reapply for certification.
The Commission for Healthcare Information Technology expects to
announce more product certifications by the end of the month and
every quarter after that. Next year, it plans to announce products
that have been certified for use by hospitals and large health
systems.
A complete list of the products that have been certified is
available online.
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