CCHIT will Certify EHRs for the ONC

This article originally appeared online at DrPullen.com, part of the HCPLive network.

If you work in the world of health information technology, your world is full of acronyms. You're probably already familiar with all of these, but in case you aren't:

• The Certification Commission for Health Information Technology (CCHIT)
• ElectronicHealth Records (EHRs)
• Office of the National Coordinator (ONC)
• Office of the National Coordinator of these Authorized Testing and Certification Bodies (ONC-ATCBs)

It's no surprise that the government has chosen to work with the CCHIT to certify EHRs. CCHIT won't be the only organization. So far, the Drummond Group has also received approval from the ONC, but we're sure to see several other organizations approving EHRs for meaningful use (as outlined in the HITECH Act).

So, if you're waiting to select an EHR that's certified by the ONC, your wait is coming to an end! CCHIT has been in the business of certifying EHRs for many years and they'll be kicking things off with a Town Call on Sept 20. Here's more information:

CCHIT Approved as ONC Authorized Testing and Certification Body

The Certification Commission has been recognized by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as an Authorized Testing and Certification Body (ONC-ATCB) under the initial certification program created to certify thatelectronic health records (EHRs) are capable of meeting the criteria to support meaningful use and qualify eligible providers and hospitals for funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

Town Call, September 20, on the Authorized HHS Certification program

CCHIT plans to launch its authorized HHS certification program on September 20 at 1:00 PM Eastern time with a Town Call Web-cast describing its application and testing process. CCHIT will take new health IT developer applications immediately after at http://cchit.org and the first group of HHS certified complete EHRs and EHR modules will be announced within weeks of that launch.

Ed Pullen, MD, is a board-certified family physician practicing in Puyallup, WA. He blogs at DrPullen.com — A Medical Bog for the Informed Patient.