CCHIT has published the following documents for your review and preparation:

• Final Criteria for Functionality, Interoperability, and Security
• Final Test Scripts and Test Script Clarifications
• Final Certification Agreement
• Final Certification Handbook
• Final Application Form
• Final Self-attestation Guidance and Self-attestation Submission Form
• Final Additional Configurations Form

Applicants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with this material before applying.

5 Steps to Certification

1. Review the Certification Handbook and Certification Agreement.
   The Handbook provides a program overview, defines product eligibility,describes the inspection process, outlines juror requirements and a complaint process, and provides CCHIT Certified marketing guidelines. The Certification Agreement details the relationship between CCHIT and your organization for the purposes of certification.
   
   
2. Review the Test Scripts and Test Script Clarifications.
   The Test Scripts outline the specific procedural steps that you must meet to demonstrate conformance with the CCHIT certification criteria. The Test Scripts represent real life medical scenarios against which an EHR product can be tested. Applicants must prepare for their inspection by reviewing and practicing their demonstration of the Test Scripts. One finding from CCHIT's pilot process was that applicants who had prepared and practiced the Test Scripts completed the inspection process more quickly and required less repeat testing to demonstrate that their product met the criteria.
   
   
3. Review the Application Form.
   All applications are first completed electronically and emailed to CCHIT. Then, CCHIT must receive two (2) signed applications, two (2) signed agreements, and payment within five (5) business days of applying for the product application to be accepted for testing within the available testing period. (If applicable, submit the Additional Configurations Form.)
   
   
4. Review Self-attestation Guidance and the Self-attestation Submission Form.
   Self-attestation materials as required by the Test Scripts must be submitted and pass a desktop review. Testing is scheduled only after that review establishes that the product is eligible for inspection. Use the Self-Attestation Submission Form to submit materials.
   
   
5. Schedule a Test Date.
   You will be invited to schedule an available inspection date after you have completed the previous steps. After that date is confirmed, CCHIT staff will work with you to coordinate the inspection.

For additional insight into the inpatient certification process, please read the Journal of AHIMA's article Taking the Measure of Inpatient EHRs (Copyright © 2007 American Health Information Management Association. Posted with permission).

Questions about CCHIT's inspection process? Feel free to contact the Certification Commission.

Copyright © 2005-2008 Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology
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