AHIMA: CCHIT expects high bar for certification

AHIMA: CCHIT expects high bar for certification

October 02, 2012 | Neil Versel on www.healthcareitnews.com

CHICAGO – As providers look ahead to Stage 2 of the meaningful useelectronic health records incentive program, they will see a greater emphasis on quality of care and improved patient outcomes, according Alisa Ray, executive director of the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology (CCHIT).

With this in mind, Ray said, the new 2014 criteria for certifying EHR technology to federal standards have been designed to support delivery of safer care.

"We are getting feedback that [the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology] has really, really raised the bar this time," Ray said Monday at the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) annual convention.

[See also: AHIMA calls for improved health IT governance]

In its recently published 2014 criteria for certification of health IT technology, ONC called for "safety-enhanced design" in eight EHR functions, such as order entry, drug-drug and drug-allergy checking, clinical decision supportand electronic medication administration records.

That program officially begins October 4, though the federal government will not finalize testing procedures until late December or early January, Ray said. Specific clinical quality measures that providers will need to meet in Stage 2 of meaningful use, which starts in 2014, also are not out yet.

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