CCHIT program to help hospitals pass EHR certification

The Certification Commission for Health Information Technology (CCHIT) is launching a new EHR certification program for hospitals that have uncertified legacy software, customized commercial products or self-developed EHR systems. "The EHR Alternative Certification for Hospitals," or EACH program, is an ONC-ATCB 2011/2012 certification for installed hospital EHR technology.

The program contains three phases, all of which are designed to give applicants the greatest possible chance of passing the actual test, according to CCHIT. In fact, applicants are only allowed to undergo the final inspection if they have gone through the first two phases of the program.

In the first phase, called "Preparation," applicants attend an online program orientation, are introduced to the EACH online community of hospitals, and form the team that will help carry out their self assessment.