ehr onc final certification - Department of Health Care Services

interfaces between “HIT systems” may be critical to the functionality of the separate
systems, but they themselves would not be EHR Modules.
In those circumstances in which an interface or other software program is an
integral component of an EHR Module without which it would not be able to be tested
and certified, then such interface or other software program, though not itself an EHR
Module, would function as a critical piece of the overall EHR Module presented for
testing and certification. For example, a software program that would permit an eligible
professional or eligible hospital to electronically exchange health information with other
eligible professionals or eligible hospitals could be tested and certified as an EHR
Module, if it provides the capability to electronically exchange health information
according to standards adopted by the Secretary. In this example, whatever comprises
the software program would be considered part of the EHR Module that is tested and
certified.
Finally, in situations where an eligible professional or eligible hospital believes
that it has multiple HIT systems that would each meet the definition of EHR Module, we
suggest that the eligible professional or eligible hospital evaluate whether these systems
could be combined with other systems to constitute a Complete EHR. If they are capable
of being combined to form a Complete EHR, it may be more expeditious and beneficial
for an eligible professional or eligible hospital to simply seek Complete EHR testing and
certification.
Comments. A few commenters requested that we clarify how EHR Modules
would be tested and certified to adopted privacy and security certification criteria. Other
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