The National Institute of Standards and Technology has published draft versions of testing methods to guide vendors in how to make sure that their electronic health record products meet technical requirements and standards for sharing information.
The test methods will be used by labs for certification of EHRs for meaningful use.
The first of four groups of testing methods are for recording and modifying patient problem, medication and allergy lists. The procedures also include testing the system capability to conduct computerized provider order entry, calculate patient body mass index, plot and display growth charts and keep smoking status current.
NIST continues to receive public comment on the test methods, even as they are being rolled out incrementally starting last month. The procedures include a test description, what the vendor is required to do, what the test procedure entails and an inspection test guide, according to the NIST Web site for health IT testing.
The test methods are based on the standards and certification criteria in the Interim Final Rule, which took effect last month. NIST said it will revise its procedures to reflect any changes in the final version of the IFR, and is coordinating with the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) as it develops the validation testing requirements, test cases, and tools.
Under the Health IT Standards Testing Infrastructure Project, NIST is not creating new standards but making certain that vendor systems conform to required standards. The HITECH Act assigned NIST, an agency of the Commerce Department, a role to study and test technical standards.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology has published draft versions of testing methods to guide vendors in how to make sure that their electronic health record products meet technical requirements and standards for sharing information.
The test methods will be used by labs for certification of EHRs for meaningful use.
The first of four groups of testing methods are for recording and modifying patient problem, medication and allergy lists. The procedures also include testing the system capability to conduct computerized provider order entry, calculate patient body mass index, plot and display growth charts and keep smoking status current.
NIST continues to receive public comment on the test methods, even as they are being rolled out incrementally starting last month. The procedures include a test description, what the vendor is required to do, what the test procedure entails and an inspection test guide, according to the NIST Web site for health IT testing.
The test methods are based on the standards and certification criteria in the Interim Final Rule, which took effect last month. NIST said it will revise its procedures to reflect any changes in the final version of the IFR, and is coordinating with the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) as it develops the validation testing requirements, test cases, and tools.
Under the Health IT Standards Testing Infrastructure Project, NIST is not creating new standards but making certain that vendor systems conform to required standards. The HITECH Act assigned NIST, an agency of the Commerce Department, a role to study and test technical standards.
