Software Complies with Updated Interoperability Requirements
CHICAGO, IL --September 30, 2008– The Certification Commission for Healthcare Information
Technology (CCHIT®) today announced that MedLink International, Inc.’s product MedLink
TotalOffice EHR 3.1 is a CCHIT Certified® 08 Ambulatory EHR, and meets the Certification
Commission’s electronic health record (EHR) criteria for office-based use. Ambulatory EHRs are
designed for physician offices and clinics where most Americans get their healthcare. The
Commission – a private, nonprofit organization – is the Recognized Certification Body in the
United States for certifying health information technology products.
“Two key new areas of interoperability are required to achieve 08 certification,” said Mark
Leavitt, M.D., Ph.D., chair, CCHIT. "First, ambulatory EHRs must be capable of advanced
electronic prescribing functions so physicians can qualify for bonuses under Medicare’s new
incentive program. Second, EHRs must be able to send and receive an electronic patient
summary. These and other new criteria will ensure that certified health IT products help improve
quality, safety and efficiency while protecting the privacy of health information.”
In the third year of the program’s operation, the criteria and testing have been
significantly updated again to provide physicians with more assurance that certified products will
meet their needs for functionality, interoperability and security. The Commission added 19
criteria to the 200 required in 2007. Those changes were focused on the ability to exchange
patient information with other systems. A CCHIT Certified 08 Ambulatory EHR ensures:
- Additional electronic prescribing features: access to the patient’s medication history,
- formulary, and eligibility.
- Better and safer medication dosing, adjusted for patient weight and other factors.
- Better ability to prevent adverse reactions due to drug interactions or allergies.
- Use of standard formats to exchange basic patient information for continuity of care.
- Enhanced ability to view X-rays and other diagnostic images.
- Better management of patient consents and authorizations.
- Increased use of standard formats when receiving and storing laboratory results.
As a CCHIT Certified product, MedLink TotalOffice EHR 3.1 has been tested and passed
inspection of 100 percent of these new criteria.
“2008 CCHIT Certification is both a testament and validation of the MedLink Total Office
EHR application, showcasing MedLink’s ability to offer functionality, interoperability and quality,
all at an affordable price.” Said Ray Vuono, CEO of MedLink International, Inc. “2008 CCHIT
certification is the gold standard of the industry showcased by recent reports that the of the more
than $700 million available in private and public initiatives for healthcare IT adoption, the majority
of the subsidies and grants require current year CCHIT certification.”
The CCHIT Certified “seal of approval” for EHR products provides a consensus-based,
government-recognized benchmark for ambulatory EHR products. By looking to products with the
CCHIT Certified seal, physicians and other providers can reduce their risk in selecting an EHR
product, allowing them to focus their evaluation on the special needs of their practices.
About MedLink International, Inc.
MedLink International, Inc. is a full se
Software Complies with Updated Interoperability Requirements
CHICAGO, IL --September 30, 2008– The Certification Commission for Healthcare Information
Technology (CCHIT®) today announced that MedLink International, Inc.’s product MedLink
TotalOffice EHR 3.1 is a CCHIT Certified® 08 Ambulatory EHR, and meets the Certification
Commission’s electronic health record (EHR) criteria for office-based use. Ambulatory EHRs are
designed for physician offices and clinics where most Americans get their healthcare. The
Commission – a private, nonprofit organization – is the Recognized Certification Body in the
United States for certifying health information technology products.
“Two key new areas of interoperability are required to achieve 08 certification,” said Mark
Leavitt, M.D., Ph.D., chair, CCHIT. "First, ambulatory EHRs must be capable of advanced
electronic prescribing functions so physicians can qualify for bonuses under Medicare’s new
incentive program. Second, EHRs must be able to send and receive an electronic patient
summary. These and other new criteria will ensure that certified health IT products help improve
quality, safety and efficiency while protecting the privacy of health information.”
In the third year of the program’s operation, the criteria and testing have been
significantly updated again to provide physicians with more assurance that certified products will
meet their needs for functionality, interoperability and security. The Commission added 19
criteria to the 200 required in 2007. Those changes were focused on the ability to exchange
patient information with other systems. A CCHIT Certified 08 Ambulatory EHR ensures:
- Additional electronic prescribing features: access to the patient’s medication history,
- formulary, and eligibility.
- Better and safer medication dosing, adjusted for patient weight and other factors.
- Better ability to prevent adverse reactions due to drug interactions or allergies.
- Use of standard formats to exchange basic patient information for continuity of care.
- Enhanced ability to view X-rays and other diagnostic images.
- Better management of patient consents and authorizations.
- Increased use of standard formats when receiving and storing laboratory results.
As a CCHIT Certified product, MedLink TotalOffice EHR 3.1 has been tested and passed
inspection of 100 percent of these new criteria.
“2008 CCHIT Certification is both a testament and validation of the MedLink Total Office
EHR application, showcasing MedLink’s ability to offer functionality, interoperability and quality,
all at an affordable price.” Said Ray Vuono, CEO of MedLink International, Inc. “2008 CCHIT
certification is the gold standard of the industry showcased by recent reports that the of the more
than $700 million available in private and public initiatives for healthcare IT adoption, the majority
of the subsidies and grants require current year CCHIT certification.”
The CCHIT Certified “seal of approval” for EHR products provides a consensus-based,
government-recognized benchmark for ambulatory EHR products. By looking to products with the
CCHIT Certified seal, physicians and other providers can reduce their risk in selecting an EHR
product, allowing them to focus their evaluation on the special needs of their practices.
About MedLink International, Inc.
MedLink International, Inc. is a full se
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