February 25, 2008 – The Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology (CCHIT) revealed plans for expansion of the certification program in 2009 during a Town Hall meeting at the HIMSS 2008.
The commission is preparing its updated ambulatory and inpatient certification criteria, as well as new programs to certify systems for child health, cardiovascular medicine and emergency department requirements, all to be launched in July 2008, said the commission. Certification of networks (health information exchanges), another new area, is now planned for launch in October.
For 2009, proposed expansion areas include long-term care, behavioral health, personal health records and additional medical specialties to be determined later this spring by the commission.
The commission announced the launch of a new Web site, www.EHRDecisions.com, designed to help educate physicians on EHR selection and the value of choosing CCHIT certified products. The site is designed to help physicians better determine their readiness for moving to electronic health records, get started on the selection process and be wiser in the actual purchase and contract negotiations. There also will be advice on how to derive the full potential benefits from an EHR, from both a business and clinical standpoint. The site will provide physician readers with a direct pipeline to Certification Commission leadership and other experts, who will post regularly.
For more information: www.cchit.org
May 21, 2025 
