CCHIT cutting its EHR testing, certification services
The Certification Commission for Health IT (CCHIT) announced it will no longer offer the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) testing and certification services for the Meaningful Use (MU) incentive program, and it has for the past year.
In January 2013, ONC designated CCHIT and three other organizations as authorized testing and certification bodies for the 2014 edition of ONC's health IT certification program, which corresponds with MU Stage 2.
"It's apparent to both providers and vendors that the pace of ONC 2014 Edition certification has been slowed by the challenges of more rigorous criteria and testing, and the timing and nature of future federal health IT program requirements remain uncertain," said CCHIT Executive Dirctor Alisa Ray, in a release."With these changes, we can provide a greater level of support and counsel to providers and vendors, something we could not undertake as a government authorized certification body."
By returning to its independent work, CCHIT can "convene thought leaders and advisory groups to provide policy and governance recommendations, and guidance to the healthcare community here and internationally," Ray said.
CCHIT will continue to operate its MU testing and certification preparation program, The Source, and will launch new health IT programs, including a partnership with the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society.
Editor
Editor Beth earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and master’s in health communication. She has worked in hospital, academic and publishing settings over the past 20 years. Beth joined TriMed in 2005, as editor of CMIO and Clinical Innovation + Technology. When not covering all things related to health IT, she spends time with her husband and three children.