EHNAC establishes new e-prescribing certifications

The Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission (EHNAC) announced Thursday the release of its new certification programs for vendors handling electronic prescription of controlled substances.

[See also: EHNAC announces accreditation program for HIEs]

Officials from EHNAC, a nonprofit standards development organization and accrediting body, say the two certificate programs evaluate pharmacy and prescribing companies that offer applications supporting electronic prescription of controlled substances.

[See also: EHNAC announces accreditation program for HIEs.]

[See also: EHNAC offers recommendations on health IT certification]

The programs are designed to demonstrate that vendors meet detailed Drug Enforcement Association (DEA) regulations as well as EHNAC core criteria addressing privacy, confidentiality, technical performance, business practices, resources and security, officials say.

"EHNAC's new EPCS programs were developed through the collaboration of healthcare prescription vendor and network experts,” says Mark Gingrich, commissioner and criteria committee chair of EHNAC. “We are excited about the level of detail provided in these programs, which effectively address the requirements of the DEA regulations. Customers of organizations achieving this certification can be confident their vendors have a very strong compliance framework in place."

[See also: EHNAC offers recommendations on health IT certification.]

EHNAC is undergoing the application process with the DEA to become an approved EPCS certifier, officials note. Until finalized, these programs will be administered exclusively by certified information system auditors to meet requirements of the DEA EPCS regulation.

Beyond recognizing excellence in health data processing and transactions, EHNAC accreditation confirms compliance with HIPAA and ARRA/HITECH regulations and industry-established standards.