Source: MedCity News
One of the most significant shifts in healthcare IT regulation is the new structure of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology’s (ONC) certification regulations. In the past, major updates were infrequent, allowing electronic health record (EHR) developers to adapt to new standards over longer periods. However, the ONC has announced a transition to a continuous update model. Developers will now be required to adapt to yearly or biennial updates to maintain certification. This shift represents a significant challenge, especially for smaller organizations. The development workload proposed in the Health IT Certification (HTI-1) rule is substantial. It requires developers to make yearly adjustments to meet evolving standards. For smaller organizations, this may necessitate restructuring development departments to ensure compliance. The impact of these continuous updates on healthcare IT cannot be underestimated, and industry stakeholders must stay vigilant and adaptable.