It seems like this question comes up every couple months about the value of EHR certification. A reader of EMR and HIPAA, QA, recently offered the following comment about EHR certification.
The issue is less that the certification bodies are unscrupulous and more that the certification criteria themselves are a joke.
If one thinks that certification denotes that a system is safe, usable, reliable and will support the care delivery needs of any particular healthcare organization, then one will be quite disappointed.
If one thinks that certification denotes that a company offering a system has certain financial stability, legal liability coverage or quality management systems in place, one will be similarly disappointed.
ONC has no interest in rigorous certification. Only higher attestation numbers.
I think this comment hits the nail on the head. I won’t say that EHR certification provides no value, but let’s not do what far too many people are doing and misconstrue the value EHR certification offers. I echo QA’s comments that EHR certification does not certify:
- EHR Safety
- EHR Usability
- EHR Reliability
- EHR Financial Stability
- EHR Liability Coverage
- EHR Quality Management
Let’s not make EHR certification into more than what it delivers. I think most people have gotten this message, but a few are still lingering in the shadows.
[…] figured out by now, I’m not really a fan of EHR certification because I believe there is very little value provided by EHR certification. An interesting additional problem that comes from EHR certification and meaningful use has to do […]