CMS Seeks Hospitals, Vendors for EHR-based Quality Data Submission

CMS requires hospitals and vendors that participate in the testing to meet the following criteria:

• The ability to submit clinical EHR data using interoperability standards, such as Cross Document Sharing, Cross Community Access, Clinical Data Architecture, and Health Level 7 to a CMS-designated clinical data repository


• Have established or have applied for a QualityNet account

Determine your eligibility and obtain more information about these capabilities by visiting http://www.cms.hhs.gov/HospitalQualityInits/.

Potential participants who wish to be considered for the development and testing process should send a self-nomination letter to:
RHQDAPU Program IT Testing Nomination
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Office of Clinical Standards and Quality
Quality Measurement and Health Assessment Group
7500 Security Boulevard
Mail Stop S3-02-01
Baltimore, MD 21244-8532

CMS states in the 2010 final rule that it will give preference to EHR vendors and hospitals that use:

• EHRs currently certified by the Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology


• The National Health Information Network


• Health Information Technology Standards Panel/Integrating the Healthcare Environment standards