Application to Certify New Health Information Technology Due March 8, 2011

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology has announced that it will accept applicants for ONC-Approved Accreditor (ONC-AA) and National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) status until March 8, 2011. The purpose of this program is to certify health information technology (HIT).

Certification of Health IT will provide assurance to purchasers and other users that an EHR system, or other relevant technology, offers the necessary technological capability, functionality, and security to help them meet meaningful use criteria. Providers and patients must also be confident that the electronic health IT products and systems they use are secure, can maintain data confidentially, and can work with other systems to share information.

Organizations that seek the ONC-AA status will have to write an application with the following criteria:

• Detail the organization’s conformance to ISO/IEC guides and experience in evaluating the conformance of certification bodies to ISO/IEC guides
• A detailed description of the organizations accreditation requirements
• Descriptions of how the organization would monitor ONC-Authorized Certification Bodies (“ONC-ACB”)
• A list of the personnel who review organizations for accreditation and their relevant experience in evaluating organizations for accreditation
• A list of procedures to deal with complaints against ONC-ACBs
  

ONC has requested the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) develop a laboratory accreditation program (LAP) for organizations to be accredited to test HIT. The NVLAP will develop specific LAPs for testing and calibration laboratories in response to legislative or administrative actions, requests from government agencies or, in special circumstances, from private sector entities.

The ONC will begin testing and certification of HIT by January 2012, and hopes to enlist sufficient assistance to meet the deadline. The Society will continue to follow ONC’s efforts to further implement health information technology and how HIT will affect our membership.

Additional information about requesting ONC-AA status and the permanent certification program can be found on the ONC website.