The Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology (CCHIT) is the first group to be designated a Recognized Certification Body by the Health and Human Services department (HHS), Secretary Mike Leavitt announced today. The CCHIT is a private, non-profit organization, and as a Recognized Certification Body, its impartial seal of approval will accelerate adoption of health IT products by removing uncertainty about the technical capabilities of the products.

"Broad adoption of health information technology that is interoperable is absolutely crucial to providing patients with better care, at lower cost, and with less hassle," Leavitt said. "I applaud the CCHIT for meeting the requirements to become a Recognized Certification Body and for their efforts to help bring the benefits of health IT within reach of consumers."

The president emphasized the importance of interoperable health information technology in the executive order signed in August, directing federal agencies to begin using health IT systems and products that meet recognized interoperability standards. The executive order defines "interoperability" as the ability to communicate and exchange data accurately, effectively, securely, and consistently using standards recognized by the secretary of HHS.

HHS rules on Anti-Kickback safe harbors and the Stark law (which permit arrangements involving donations of electronic health record software, information technology and training services) say that electronic health record software is considered interoperable if it has been certified by a Recognized Certification Body 12 months prior to donation.

"CCHIT is honored to have been named a Recognized Certification Body by HHS. Our certification will ensure that EHR products donated to physicians by hospitals, health plans and others, deliver interoperability along with all its attendant benefits," said Mark Leavitt, M.D., Ph.D., Chair, CCHIT.

As a Recognized Certification Body, the CCHIT will continue to evaluate health information technology products to ensure that they meet base-line requirements for functionality, interoperability and security. The CCHIT product certification criteria will leverage standards harmonized and selected by the Health Information Technology Standards Panel.

In September 2005, HHS awarded a $2.7 million contract to CCHIT to develop an efficient, credible, and sustainable mechanism for certifying health care information technology products. Already in phase one, the CCHIT will certify health IT products in three initial phases:

• First, outpatient or ambulatory EHRs -- 33 products have been certified to date
• Second, inpatient, or hospital EHRs
• Third, architectures, or systems that enable the exchange of information between and among health care providers and institutions

KW