The U.S. Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology has issued the final rule on its Health IT Certification Program.
The final rule, slated to be published Wed., Oct. 19, focuses on increased accountability, oversight and transparency for certified health IT products. The rule includes a regulatory framework for ONC to review certified health IT products and a commitment to publishing the surveillance results of these products. It also includes direct review plans for various circumstances, for example, should a health IT product pose a potential risk to public health and safety.
"Today’s final rule strengthens the program by ensuring that certified health IT helps clinicians and individuals use and exchange electronic health information safely and reliably," said Vindell Washington, MD, national coordinator for health IT. "More transparency and accountability in health IT is good for consumers, physicians and hospitals."