Certified Electronic Health Records

Electronic health record (EHR) systems used by eligible hospitals and providers to achieve meaningful use must be certified under the Health and Human Services (HHS) process, which is managed by the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC). Certification under the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) approved process will signify that an EHR has the capabilities needed to support hospitals and physicians in their efforts to achieve meaningful use.

There are two certification programs: temporary (for Stage 1) and permanent (Stage 2 and 3).

Temporary Certification Program

The final rule for the Temporary Certification Program was released on June 18, and published in the Federal Register on June 24. The rule establishes the program for an organization or consortium of organizations to become Authorized Testing and Certification Bodies (ATCBs).

To date, three ATCBs have been named by the ONC, including:

Certification by an ONC-ATCB carries the same weight regardless of the certifying body since all ATCBs must follow the same processes and test scripts. ATCBs must also strictly adhere to the HHS-specified certification process:

  • May offer other programs, but cannot add requirements to HHS-certification
  • No "grandfathering" of previous certification programs supported by HHS
  • Must offer option for remote testing, both at development and deployment sites
  • May also offer testing and certification at its own facility
  • ONC is not requiring Complete EHRs and EHR Modules to be live in order to qualify for testing and certification
  • Certification attestation required with service packs and subsequent code releases; must attest that no changes affect certification criteria
  • Not required to perform integration testing for EHR Modules

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is the primary source for writing test scripts, although the ONC will serve as the final approver and may use other sources. Additionally, the ONC will periodically conduct unannounced and scheduled visits to ATCBs.

Certification under the temporary program is permanent and will remain in place until certified EHRs become available under the permanent program. The temporary program will sunset on Dec. 31, 2011 (or when permanent program is in place). Details on the permanent certification program are expected late in 2010.

McKesson is tracking well against its certification plans, including:

  • Horizon Clinicals® Release 10.3.1 achieved ONC-ATCB complete certification* for the inpatient setting on Nov. 17, 2010 with the Drummond Group (Certification ID 11172010-1558-8).
  • RelayClinical Platform v10.3 achieved ONC-ATCB complete certification for the ambulatory setting on Nov. 19 with the Drummond Group (Certification ID 11192010-3903-8).
  • Practice Partner® Release 9.4 is CCHIT 2011 certified for the ambulatory setting, and we are scheduled to test for ONC-ATCB certification in late November.
  • Horizon Meds Manager** v8.7.1 achieved ONC-ATCB modular certification for the inpatient setting on Nov. 17, 2010 with the Drummond Group (Certification ID 11172010-8616-8).
  • Paragon® Release 10.0 has a confirmed test date with Drummond in December.
  • Horizon Ambulatory Care™ Release 10.3 has a confirmed test date with Drummond in January 2011.

Visit the ONC's Certified HIT Product List (CHPL) for a full listing of certified solutions.

For more than a year, McKesson has been actively moving our EHR systems toward having the capabilities our customers need to achieve the meaningful use objectives. We are committed to supporting your efforts to achieve meaningful use.

* This Complete EHR is 2011/2012 compliant and has been certified by an ONC-ATCB in accordance with the applicable certification criteria adopted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. This certification does not represent an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or guarantee the receipt of incentive payments.

**This EHR Modular certification is 2011/2012 compliant and has been certified by an ONC-ATCB in accordance with the applicable certification criteria adopted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. This certification does not represent an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or guarantee the receipt of incentive payments.