FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 09, 2010

TIA Supports Establishing Certification Programs for Health Information Technology

TIA Outlines Recommendations Regarding the Importance of Meaningful Use Standards for Wired and Wireless Transmission of Electronic Health Records as Well as for the Transmission Networks

Arlington, Va. – The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) today filed comments with Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) for Health Information Technology at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) outlining its support and recommendations for the proposed establishment of certification programs for Health Information Technology (Health IT).

"TIA appreciates the steps the ONC is taking to ensure that eligible professionals and hospitals can swiftly adopt and implement certified Electronic Health Record (EHR) technology in order to qualify for meaningful use incentive payments," said TIA Vice President for Government Affairs Danielle Coffey.

TIA also praised the ONC for recognizing that Congress authorized it to establish voluntary certification programs for Health IT beyond EHRs in order to fulfill its mission. TIA believes the permanent certification program needs to address the implementation and use of EHR modules in telecommunications operating environments.

"To ensure that the benefits of meaningful use extend to rural and underserved communities and serve telemedicine applications, we recommend that the permanent certification program addresses the certification and testing of EHR modules across mobile and portable information and medical device platforms," said Coffey. "In this way, ONC can help more of the U.S. population to participate in and benefit from the advances in Health IT in the locations and environments that best suit individuals' medical needs."

It is crucial, TIA stated, that meaningful use standards include the wired and wireless transmission of EHRs to all forms of health care entities, including hospitals, homes, assisted living facilities, critical care centers, clinics, first responders, social workers, and other care providers to support data-driven collaborative medical care teamwork and interaction through fixed and mobile communications devices. Such transmission will require standardization of networks designed for the electronic exchange of health information.

TIA expressed its appreciation for the effort the ONC has made to ensure that there are effective certification methodologies and standards in place so that EHRs are meaningfully used, and pledged to continue working with the ONC as it begins establishing certification standards that will enable networks to facilitate electronic exchange of health information.

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About TIA
The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents the global information and communications technology (ICT) industry through standards development, advocacy, tradeshows, business opportunities, market intelligence and world-wide environmental regulatory analysis. Since 1924, TIA has been enhancing the business environment for broadband, mobile wireless, information technology, networks, cable, satellite and unified communications. Members' products and services empower communications in every industry and market, including healthcare, education, security, public safety, transportation, government, the military, the environment and entertainment.

TIA is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Visit tiaonline.org.

TIA's Board of Directors includes senior-level executives from ADTRAN, Alcatel-Lucent, ANDA Networks, AttivaCorp, Cisco Systems, Ericsson, Inc., GENBAND, Inc., Henkels & McCoy, ILS Technology, Intel Corporation, Intersect, Inc., LGE, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia Siemens Networks, Openwave, Inc., Panasonic Computer Solutions Co., Powerwave Technologies, Qualcomm, Research In Motion, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave Corporation, Tellabs, Tyco Electronics, Ulticom, Inc., and Wirefree. Advisors to the Board include FAL Associates, Orca Systems and Telcordia Technologies.

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