HHS Final Rule Aids Protection of Health Information

HHS says the final rule allows the program to better support physicians and hospitals – the vast majority of whom use certified electronic health records – and the fast pace of innovation in health IT.

  • Oct 17, 2016

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) issued a final rule on Oct. 14 that emphasizes the importance of protecting public health and safety and strengthens transparency and accountability in the ONC Health IT Certification Program, according to the agency's announcement.

It says the final rule allows the program to better support physicians and hospitals – the vast majority of whom use certified electronic health records – and the fast pace of innovation in health IT. "More transparency and accountability in health IT is good for consumers, physicians, and hospitals," said Dr. Vindell Washington, M.D., MHCM, national coordinator for health IT. "Today's final rule strengthens the program by ensuring that certified health IT helps clinicians and individuals use and exchange electronic health information safely and reliably."

The rule focuses on these three key areas:

  • Direct review: Allows ONC to directly review certified health IT products and take necessary action in circumstances involving potential risks to public health and safety or circumstances that present practical challenges for ONC-Authorized Certification Bodies, such as when issues arise involving multiple certified functionalities or products that have been certified by multiple ONC-ACBs.
  • Consistent authorization and oversight: Establishes a process for ONC to authorize and oversee accredited testing laboratories to align with ONC’s existing oversight of ONC-ACBs.
  • Increased transparency and accountability: Makes identifiable surveillance results of certified health IT publicly available to advance ONC's overall commitment to transparency and provide customers and users with valuable information about the performance of certified health IT.

    • Product Showcase

    • Glove Guard® Clip

      Safety should never be compromised, especially when it comes to proper glove usage. The Glove Guard® clip enhances safety by encouraging employees to keep their gloves with them at all times. This reduces the risk of accidents and injuries on the job. By ensuring everyone has their gloves readily available, we help promote a culture of safety and efficiency. The Glove Guard® clip is designed to withstand the toughest work environments. Constructed from robust materials made in the USA, it can endure extreme conditions, including harsh weather, and rigorous activities. Read More

    • NoiseCHEK Personal Noise Dosimeter

      SKC NoiseCHEK is the easiest-to-use dosimeter available! Designed specifically for OEHS professionals, SKC NoiseCHEK offers the easiest operation and accurate noise measurements. Everything you need is right in your palm. Pair Bluetooth models to your mobile devices and monitor workers remotely with the SmartWave dB app without interrupting workflow. Careful design features like a locking windscreen, sturdy clip, large front-lit display, bright status LEDs, and more make NoiseCHEK the top choice in noise dosimeters. Demo NoiseCHEK at AIHA Connect Booth 1003. Read More

    • Safety Shower Test Cart

      The Safety Shower Test Cart speeds up and simplifies emergency shower tests, ensures you stay in compliance with OSHA regulations, and significantly reduces testing costs. With 7 unique features, the cart makes testing easy, effective, and efficient. You can test water clarity, flow, temperature, and spread—all at the same time! Most safety shower testing kits create a mess, take too much time to use, and don't fully help you stay in compliance with OSHA & ANSI standards. Transform the way you test emergency showers with Green Gobbler Safety. Read More

    Featured

    Most   Popular

    Artificial Intelligence