Standards and Technology

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.

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 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.

Interoperability Standards Advisory

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.

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.

Interoperability Proving Ground

The Interoperability Proving Ground (IPG) is an open, community platform where you can share, learn, and be inspired by interoperability projects occurring in the United States (and around the world).

ONC Tech Lab Standards Coordination

This Tech Lab focus area coordinates interactions with standards development organizations (SDOs) and industry stakeholders and targets priority investments to advance standards development. It also looks to connect new program, policy, and business requirements to technical standards and infrastructure needs.

Standards Bulletin

The ONC Standards Bulletin is a periodically published communication for healthcare stakeholders that includes updates about ONC 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.

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.

Adopted Standards for HHS

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.