Standards & Technology
Health care quality, safety, and efficiency are enhanced through the advancement of health IT, such as electronic health records and secure electronic health information exchange. These improvements have been largely driven by the adoption of health IT standards, implementation specifications, and certification criteria, which were established by ASTP/ONC on behalf of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Adopted Standards for HHS
ASTP/ONC adopts standards and implementation specifications through regulation (45 CFR Part 170 Subpart B) for use by heath IT developers certifying products in the ONC Health IT Certification Program. These standards may also be referenced by HHS agencies and other federal partners for use in their programs.
Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources
The Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR®) standard is an API-focused standard that enables electronic health data, including clinical and administrative data, to be quickly and efficiently exchanged. With FHIR-enabled applications, patients can take their EHI wherever they go and securely access their health information.
Health IT Certification Program
The ONC Health IT Certification Program is a voluntary program that helps ensure that current and future technologies are developed with interoperability in mind.
A list of certified health IT is maintained through the Certified Health IT Products List.
Interoperability Standards Advisory
ASTP/ONC also publishes and maintains the Interoperability Standards Advisory (ISA), a resource listing health information standards, models, and profiles fitting into more than 60 sub-sections divided by topic/use. Examples of topics/use include: public health, patient information, coordination, clinical care, and administration.
Patient Identity and Matching
Patient matching identifies and links a patient’s data within and across health systems for a comprehensive view of the patient’s healthcare record. It’s a critical component to interoperability and the nation’s health IT infrastructure.
Standards Bulletin
The ONC Standards Bulletin is a periodically published communication for healthcare stakeholders that includes updates about health IT standards initiatives. It is part of an ongoing effort to communicate, coordinate, and promote the adoption and use of interoperability standards to facilitate the access, exchange, and use of electronic health information.
Standards Version Advancement Process
The Standards Version Advancement Process (SVAP) is updated annually by ASTP/ONC and is designed to support industry interoperability needs by adding new standards to be used in the ONC Health IT Certification Program.
United States Core Data for Interoperability
ONC’s Health IT Certification Program requires the use of the United States Core Data for Interoperability (USCDI), a standardized set of health data classes and constituent data elements, including clinical notes, allergies and intolerances, laboratory test results, and medications for nationwide, interoperable health information exchange.
USCDI+
USCDI+ is a service that ASTP/ONC will provide to federal partners who have a need to establish, harmonize, and advance the use of interoperable datasets. It extends beyond the core data in the USCDI in order to meet agency-specific programmatic requirements.