ONC proposes additional oversight of certified health IT products

Under a proposed rule issued today, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology would directly review certified electronic health record products and authorize EHR testing laboratories. According to ONC, EHR products would continue to be certified by ONC-authorized bodies, but the rule would require developers to remedy product non-conformities and create a process to suspend or terminate certification if necessary. In addition, the certification bodies would have to publish on their websites quarterly information on the continued performance of certified products, to provide greater transparency for providers. Testing laboratories would continue to be accredited by the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program but also have to be authorized by ONC. ONC will accept comments on the proposed rule through May 2. National Coordinator for Health IT Karen DeSalvo, M.D., said the rule would “help us ensure that health IT products and the IT marketplace are continuing to meet the needs of the health care system.”