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The Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology (CCHIT) is a U.S. IT certification authority for electronic health records (EHR) adoption. EHR usage has been enacted through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). EHRs helps promote health information exchange and interoperability through meaningful use standards. The CCHIT operates under the direction of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Techopedia Explains Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology
CCHIT is a certification authority that focuses on EHR adoption related to technology and products. To become certified by the CCHIT, EHR vendors must pass a meticulous assessment of their EHR security capabilities, the interoperability of their health information exchange competencies and their cohesive technological functionality.
The CCHIT program also offers financial incentives to providers and hospitals that develop their own EHR technologies. Here, private or in-house IT professionals are in great demand over large EHR vendors. Certification for these types of vendors is simplified and more affordable. Product lists that have been certified are also available for review and product purchase on the CCHIT website.
The actual CCHIT process ensures that those searching for authentic and capable EHR vendors are moving in the right direction when they choose from the hundreds of certified consultants listed on the CCHIT website. While CCHIT claims not to endorse these vendors, many feel that the certification process does just that. And although the actual CCHIT board is comprised of volunteers, critics claim it could turn into a hot-button issue because some major EHR vendor employees are members of the CCHIT board.
The CCHIT has three certification programs for EHR vendors that health care agencies and organizations must use:
- CCHIT Certified® program
- ONC-ATCB certification program
- EHR alternative certification
