NIST publishes finalized EHR testing procedures

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has published a set of approved procedures for testing information technology systems that work with EHRs. The approved and finalized testing procedures are now available for use, according to NIST.

Under a certification program established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the National Coordinator (ONC), ONC-authorized testing organizations can use the NIST tools to evaluate EHR software and systems.

The ONC-approved test procedures will help ensure that EHRs function properly and work interchangeably across systems developed by different vendors, according to NIST. The set of 45 approved test procedures evaluate EHR components such as data encryption, how these systems plot and display growth charts, and how they conform to computerized provider order entry requirements.

The development of these tools was mandated by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 in order to support a health IT infrastructure.

Notice of the approved test procedures appears in the August 9, 2010, Federal Register. Click here for more information about the finalized testing requirements.