EHR interoperability remains a top priority for health care. With a new certification program created by the HIMSS, IHE USA and the EHR/HIE Interoperability Workgroup, medical professionals can determine which EHR software can communicate with its various counterparts, even ones from different companies, without bias from vendor claims.
Offering flexibility in and out of MU
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Office of the National Coordinator have proposed a new rule for the voluntary 2015 edition of the EHR Certification Criteria for the Meaningful Use program, according to HealthIT.gov. The motion would increase flexibility for vendors and health care professionals, even those who would not normally be considered for MU eligibility. HIMSS's ConCert works to further these goals.
"This voluntary testing and certification program will increase clarity in the marketplace and create the 'pull' for interoperability that we are lacking today by simplifying the process," Joyce Sensmeier, RN-BC, MS, CPHIMS, FHIMSS, FAAN, vice president for informatics for HIMSS North America, stated in a press release. "Providers will now be able to identify certified interoperable products. And vendors that are certified through this program will have a competitive advantage in the marketplace."
The ConCert mark – "Con" for connectivity and "Cert" for certification – ensures that vendor technology is conducive to information sharing. The HIMSS guarantees that any product bearing ConCert certification will work with other health IT. The program removes the vendor from the decision process completely and provides objective, third-party reviews from the ConCert by HIMSS Advisory Committee.
Working toward EHR interoperability
ConCert by HIMSS supplies health care providers with information about EHR software and health information exchange vendors from a neutral third party. Instead of taking a vendor's word for its program's interoperability, medical professionals can utilize ConCert by HIMSS to evaluate claims and choose the right system, HIMSS explained on its website.
"Healthcare providers will now be in a position to expect their health IT vendors to be certified for interoperability," David Whitlinger, executive director of the New York eHealth Collaborative, said in a press release. "As more and more vendors achieve certification, we will be closer to assuring widespread, interoperable connectivity."
ConCert by HIMSS helps the decision process with its three separate certification programs:
- ConCert by HIMSS EHR – For EHR software that provide professionals with the ability to share medical information both within their network and with their patients, and allows Query-based and DIRECT exchanges.
- ConCert by HIMSS HIE – For HIE systems that permit health care providers to share information with other medical professionals.
- ConCert by HIMSS HISP – For health information services provider systems that offer a directory for easy exchange of data between doctors and patients.
While it is in its pilot state until December 2015, ConCert by HIMSS should be operating in its completed mode at the beginning of next year. As of its launch, nine vendors have committed to working toward ConCert certification by the end of 2015.
Contact Viztek for more information.
Ronny Bachrach
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