At A Glance
Throughout the health care industry, providers, government agencies, and software vendors are working to define and implement Electronic Health Records (EHR). The goal is to create standards-based systems that enable providers to enhance the quality of care while reducing overall costs.
Health IT - The Health Information Technology web site of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services provides information about the government's policies concerning health IT and the certification and testing of EHR. Check out the latest NPRM posting. Of special note, the HHS Secretary has decided not to adopt the previously recognized interim certification criteria standards initially developed in 2006. This is a perfect example of why Knight Software waits for "final" standards before implementing and charging clients (check out our about us page). HHS Health IT site: http://healthit.hhs.gov/portal/server.pt
CCHIT - Certification Commission for Health Information Technology (CCHIT) is a nonprofit organization that is working on the certification criteria and testing EHR systems. It has already defined and certified comprehension systems for in-patient and ambulatory providers. It has a work group that is currently developing criteria and tests for Behavioral Health systems. Website:
National Council - The National Council for Community Behavior Healthcare provides business and practice area devoted to EHR. Website: http://www.cchit.org/workgroups/behavioral-health
National Council - The National Council for Community Behavior Healthcare provides business and practice area devoted to EHR. Website: http://www.thenationalcouncil.org/cs/business_practice_areas/electronic_health_record
blogs - Blogs by Health Care industry experts can assist you in sorting through the confusion of the EHR maze. This link is an example blog that you may find helpful: http://thehealthcareblog.com/blog/2010/03/08/why-rush-vendor-certification-of-ehr-technologies/
SATVA - The Software and Technology Vendors' Association (SATVA) is a trade organization for vendors of behavioral health software and technology. It provides a Behavior Health Software Certification Watch. Website: http://www.satva.org/CCHITWatch.htm
Our Strategy
KIS provides features associated with Electronic Health Records (EHRs), including client demographics, episode of care records, system interoperability and reporting. The process for certifying EHRs for the behavioral health sector is currently being studied by government and vendor workgroups, and Knight Software is monitoring these activities. We have the experience and ability to meet all of your Certified EHR needs. We handle these changes in a contract separate from the standard KIS Lynx Contract. This allows you to only pay for what you need.