Current EHR Software Certification Process

Currently, EHR certification is provided by CCHIT (Certification Commission for Health Information Technology).

CCHIT was founded in 2004 by three industry associations (HIMSS, AHIMA and the Alliance) to foster improvements in quality, safety, efficiency and access and support widespread adoption of health information technology. Its certification criteria were developed through a voluntary, consensus-based process engaging diverse stakeholders, and the Certification Commission was officially recognized by the Federal government as a certifying body.

This certification process is however undergoing a radical change under which CCHIT may not continue to be the sole EHR Certification agency. 

Proposed EHR Certification Roadmap

In a HIT Policy Committee meeting held in August 2009 to review the initial recommendations of the Certification and Adoption Workgroup, it was felt that the certification process is excessively detailed and there is too much attention to specific features and functionality. According to the meeting minutes, CCHIT has been criticized because it both sets certification criteria and does the testing (certifying) of vendor systems. A desire for a modular approach was also expressed, so that purchasers could obtain components from multiple sources and are not required to use a monolithic system from a single vendor.

It therefore introduced the concept of HHS Certification described below.

HHS Certification

HHS Certification means that an EHR system is able to achieve the minimum government requirements for security, privacy, and interoperability, and that the EHR system is able to produce the Meaningful Use results that the government expects.

HHS Certification is not intended to be viewed as a "seal of approval" or an indication of the benefits of one system over another.

Read more about proposed HHS Certification Plans.

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