| Just as an FDA certification increases consumer | | | | criteria in the following categories: |
| confidence, the Healthcare Information | | | | Functionality: |
| Technology industry is making headway toward | | | | Systems must meet an extensive set of |
| the creation of product standards. The | | | | functional requirements, (e.g., scheduling, encounter |
| Certification Commission for Healthcare | | | | management, demographics, etc.) |
| Information Technology (CCHIT) acts as a stamp | | | | Interoperability: |
| of approval on Electronic Health Records (EHRs) | | | | This assures that systems from different |
| or Electronic Medical Records (EMRs). CCHIT | | | | vendors can seamlessly exchange clinical, financial |
| certification allows organizations to identify EHR | | | | and administrative data. |
| systems that have met the agreed-upon | | | | Security: |
| standards, as well as undergone unbiased | | | | This addresses how effectively the product |
| inspections and rigorous testing. | | | | protects the information stored in it. For example, |
| CCHIT certification is meant to provide a certain | | | | backup, authentication, access control, etc. |
| level of protection for the buyer by making sure | | | | While certification does demonstrate a degree of |
| that an EHR system meets certain functionality | | | | financial esteem and indicates a vendor's financial |
| and security requirements, and can reasonably | | | | viability, a compliant system may be all some |
| integrate with other systems. With nearly 350 | | | | providers are seeking. Whether an EHR system is |
| criteria in each area, EHRs must meet robust | | | | CCHIT certified or compliant, it still is prudent to |
| performance requirements to pass certification. | | | | apply due diligence before committing any |
| This gives physicians and providers peace of mind | | | | resources. |
| that the product they are purchasing is functional | | | | Industry experts offer the following tips for |
| and safe, and that it will provide a higher quality of | | | | health center teams that are considering |
| care for patients. Providers who are overwhelmed | | | | purchasing an EHR in 2007: |
| by the amount and variety of EHR systems that | | | | * Do your research. Review trade publications, |
| are available can now seek products with the | | | | ask questions at industry conferences that |
| CCHIT seal as a prerequisite to their decision | | | | feature vendor exhibits. |
| making process. | | | | * Think about hiring a consultant. While this can |
| According to some skeptics, an EHR that is | | | | sometimes be costly, a third person brings an |
| CCHIT compliant can also offer providers the | | | | objective perspective to your search. Depending |
| same peace of mind that a certified EHR gives. | | | | upon his/her expertise, he/she may ask questions |
| What's the difference between the two? A | | | | that you and your team have not considered. |
| certified product indicates that a vendor met all | | | | * Consult with your Information Technology (IT) |
| the necessary functionality, interoperability and | | | | staff to think through any operational |
| security requirements, and paid a $28,000 | | | | considerations. For instance, how much storage |
| administrative fee to CCHIT to undergo the | | | | space for patient records can you accommodate? |
| certification process. A compliant product indicates | | | | How often will back-ups be required? Are you |
| that a vendor also developed its product to meet | | | | equipped to handle these issues? |
| the necessary requirements, but may not have | | | | * Ask for references. Don't take a vendor's word |
| paid the administrative fee to receive the benefit | | | | for it. Talk to customers that are actually using |
| of CCHIT's official endorsement. | | | | the product. |
| CCHIT evaluates EHR products based on 350 | | | | |