27 EHRs Seek Certification

HDM Breaking News, April 9, 2008

With a July 1 deadline for certification under 2007 criteria, the Certification Commission for Healthcare Information has received 27 applications from ambulatory electronic health record vendors.

Thirteen applications were for vendors that had EHR products certified in 2006; the remaining are new applicants. Four new inpatient EHR certification applications also have been received.

In other news, CCHIT has announced that proposed 2008 final criteria and test scripts for ambulatory EHR certification will be published by April 17 at cchit.org/participate/public-comment, with comment received through April 30. The final criteria and scripts will be published May 20. Applications will be accepted July 1-14, with the first 2008 certifications announced in mid-October.

The schedules for inpatient and emergency department EHR certification under 2008 criteria are not yet determined. Vendors that certify ambulatory, inpatient and ER products this year also will be able to apply for an enterprise certification.

The first test scripts for the new network certification program will be available for comment for 30 days starting April 17. Organizations interested in pilot testing the program can apply April 21 through May 9. CCHIT expects to launch the network certification program in October.

CCHIT will offer Web seminars May 27-29 to explain the certification process using 2008 criteria. Registration will be available April 24 through May 22 at cchit.org/education.

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