HL7 Supports Voluntary Certification

Ann Arbor, Mich.-based Health Level Seven International (HL7) has released comments supporting forward movement on the development of programs for the voluntary certification of health information technology.

The company says the proposed rule marks an important step forward in the nation’s efforts to improve healthcare by putting highly functional EHR at the fingertips of medical professionals and consumers alike. However, HL7 has submitted comments to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, which propose modifications to the Proposed Rule.

HL7 strongly recommends that other HIT be certified, including Personal Health Record (PHR) systems. Moreover, HL7 recommends that interoperability of EHR systems across the continuum of care be certified. To support that effort, the current profiles for the Emergency Department, Long Term and Post Acute Care, Behavioral Health, and Child Health can be used. To see the full document detailing HL7 International’s comments, please click here.