CCHIT Unveils New Certification Paths
The Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology (CCHIT) plans to offer three options for certification of EHRs that attest the system meets criteria for "meaningful use." Providers must achieve meaningful use of EHRs to receive incentive payments outlined in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

The proposed paths, EHR-C, EHR-M and EHR-S, were designed to make certification accessible to a wider range of software and systems.

EHR-C (for comprehensive) goes above and beyond federal standards and gives users "maximal assurance" the system will meet their needs, according to Mark Leavitt, MD, PhD, chairman, CCHIT. Certification costs, $30,000-50,000, would be similar to the current range.

EHR-M (for module) isn't as rigorous as EHR-C; it allows vendors to get products certified for meeting some meaningful use requirements, but not all. Providers can piece together several modules to create a fully certified system, Dr. Leavitt said. Vendors could save funds by choosing this route, as costs are estimated at $5,000-35,000.

EHR-S (for site) would certify EHR systems that have already been deployed. Surveyors would confirm the system meets meaningful use criteria and does what it claims to do, according to Dr. Leavitt. EHR-S certification cannot be extended to other sites or facilities, but it is the least expensive route, at only $150-300.

Dr. Leavitt also said scholarships may be available to help non-profit suppliers afford certification.

NJ Physician Proposes EHR Bills
A New Jersey assemblyman and physician has proposed two bills addressing the adoption of EHRs.

Introduced by Dr. Herb Conaway Jr., the New Jersey Broadband and Electronic Health Information Network Authority Act calls for a new body to fund and promote the development of a broadband network that would facilitate health information exchange (HIE).

Conaway also proposed legislation that would prohibit providers from adopting EHR systems not certified by CCHIT. The bill would fine providers and suppliers $5,000 per violation for buying or selling non-certified systems, respectively.

HITSP Targets Research Realm
The Healthcare Information Technology Standards Panel (HITSP) is working to identify standards for "core research data element exchange" between EHRs and clinical research systems. The project responds to the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) request to create standards for greater interoperability between the systems.

"Our work will help streamline and enhance clinical research within the health care setting, providing the means to better assess such areas as efficacy, effectiveness and safety for the benefit of patients, investigators, clinicians, technology and service providers and researchers alike," said Dr. Rebecca Kush, president and CEO of the Clinical Data Interchange Standards Consortium and co-chair of the workgroup.

Thirty-five health care organizations have contributed funds to the project.

Report Calls HIM "Hot Job"
HIM is a "hot job field," despite the frigid economy, according to CBS News in Chicago.

Noting the anticipated rise in EHR use over the next few years, the report encouraged viewers to explore jobs in HIM.

The report included an interview with American Health Information Management Association's Claire Dixon-Lee, who said the health care field will need double the amount of its association members to meet the demands of an electronic environment.

While professionals can enter the field with an associate's degree, Dixon-Lee said, a bachelor's degree or a few years of experience in health care can boost salary prospects.

GE Offers EHR Loans
As part of its Healthymagination initiative, GE Healthcare is offering no-interest loans to help physicians tackle the financial burden of EHRs. Through the Stimulus Simplicity program, qualifying physicians can adopt GE's EHR products and pay no interest until 2012.

The program also addresses certification concerns; products carry a warranty assuring they meet ARRA requirements for incentive payments.

Vishal Wanchoo, president and CEO of GE Healthcare IT, said Stimulus Simplicity is designed to help small physician practices, but large organizations looking for an EHR system may also benefit from the program, according to reports.

LA Bill Heads to House Floor
The Louisiana Health and Welfare Committee has passed a bill that would establish a loan program for EHR adoption. The proposed legislation now awaits House approval.

If passed, the law would use $5 million of the state budget to help providers afford the upfront costs of EHR implementation. Proponents hope the loans will give physicians a leg-up on adoption and help the state collect $25 million in federal incentives set aside in the stimulus plan. According to reports, federal funds would be funneled into the loan program.

Lab Reporting Needs Improvement
More than 7 percent of abnormal lab results are not reported to patients, according to researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College, New York City.

The study, which surveyed 23 primary care practices, found nearly every practice had at least one case of failing to inform a patient of significant results. Among the largest practices, the failure rate was as high as 23 percent.

Practices that use EHRs had better reporting rates than paper-based facilities, the study found. However, physicians with hybrid records fared worst.