ONC-ATCB Certified EMR Software

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC-HIT) established a voluntary certification program to set standards for health IT systems, including electronic medical records (EMRs). This program ensures that EMR system meets the functionality, security, and technological capability requirements adopted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). 

An ONC Certified EMR is a software system that has passed rigorous evaluation and testing by ONC-Authorized Testing Laboratories (ONC-ATLs) and certification by ONC-Authorized Certification Bodies (ONC-ACBs), such as Leidos, Inc., Drummond Group, and SLI Compliance.

It is designed with the end-user in mind, which ensures that healthcare providers can efficiently manage patient information, enhance clinical workflows, and improve overall patient care. 

ONC has established three editions of health IT certification criteria. The 2015 Edition Health IT Certification Criteria specifies the latest requirements for ONC certification. Below are some of the key features of ONC Certified EMR software: 

Data Privacy And Security 

Certified EMRs comply with HIPAA and other security standards to protect patient information. They include features such as encryption, audit trails, and role-based access controls to safeguard sensitive data. These measures reduce the risk of data breaches and ensure the security of protected health information (PHI). 

Clinical Decision Support (CDS) 

These systems come with built-in tools that assist providers in making evidence-based clinical decisions. Physicians can access features such as clinical guidelines, diagnostic support, patient data reports, and drug selection to enhance the quality of care. Overall, CDS tools reduce errors and help clinicians provide timely and appropriate interventions. 

E-Prescribing 

E-prescribing capabilities enable providers to send prescriptions electronically to pharmacies. These systems also perform drug-drug and drug-allergy interaction checks, alerting physicians to potential interactions or contraindications when medications are prescribed. 

Patient Engagement Tools 

Empowering patients is a key focus of certified EMRs. Tools such as patient portals, secure messaging, and online scheduling allow individuals to actively participate in their care. Patients can view, download, and share test results or other health data while securely communicating with providers. 

Interoperability

ONC Certified EHR software supports seamless data sharing between healthcare systems. This includes following the HL7 Consolidated Clinical Document Architecture (C-CDA) standard and using protocols like IHE XDR, SMTP, or IMAP4 for secure data transmission. These standards ensure patient information is accessible across teams and systems. 

Here’s a list of benefits you can expect when implementing ONC Certified EMR solutions: 

• Improved Patient Safety: Uses tools like computerized provider order entry (CPOE), drug interaction checks, patient problem lists, and clinical decision support to deliver quality care 
• Reporting Accuracy: Supports standardized recording, exporting, and analysis of clinical quality measures (CQMs) to ensure care accountability and effectiveness 
• Enhanced Data Security: Complies with industry regulations and implements strong data security measures like access controls and audit trails to protect ePHI 
• Seamless Health Data Exchange: Enables efficient and secure sharing of patient data across healthcare systems to improve care coordination 
• Standardized Health IT Systems: Ensures systems operate effectively with standardized protocols to enhance usability for both clinicians and patients 

The cost of ONC Certified EMR software varies depending on factors such as practice size, deployment model, and the features required. Cloud-based systems, like eClinicalWorks, start from $449 per month per provider, while on-premise systems such as Epic can have higher upfront costs and ongoing maintenance expenses. 

Here are some important aspects providers should evaluate when choosing ONC Certified software to ensure it aligns with their practice's unique requirements: 

• Specialty-Specific Modules: Choose an EMR that offers features designed specifically for your specialty such as specific templates and tools that address your unique requirements 
• Integration Capabilities: Look for EMRs that can seamlessly integrate with existing systems and devices used in your practice, such as laboratory systems and imaging tools 
• Review Certified Health IT Modules: Review the Certified Health IT Product List (CHPL) to explore Health IT products that have been certified by the ONC Health IT Certification Program 
• Compliance And Security: Consider EMR systems that adhere to strict privacy standards and provide robust data security features to protect patient information 
• Customer Support: Evaluate ongoing vendor support for training, maintenance, and troubleshooting to ensure smooth implementation and use