MALVERN, Pa., Jun 12, 2006 -- Recognizing personal experiences and accomplishments within the healthcare information technology (HIT) industry, the Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology (CCHIT) has selected three Siemens Medical Solutions employees to serve on its workgroups, helping to develop the criteria by which HIT products will be certified:
-- Gail Latimer, M.S.N., R.N., vice president and chief nursing officer - Selected for her comprehensive work within the nursing environment, Gail was named to the Inpatient Functionality Workgroup. This new workgroup was created to develop functionality criteria in the inpatient electronic health record (EHR) domain.
-- Glen Marshall, standards and regulatory manager - Working closely with numerous HIT issues, including HIPAA and the Security and Privacy Rules, Glen's commitment and expertise propelled a second consecutive term with CCHIT's Security Workgroup. This group has developed security criteria for ambulatory EHRs through 2008 and will add the inpatient domain to its charter.
-- David Tao, information technology architect - Recognized for his interoperability skills and knowledge, David was reappointed to CCHIT's Interoperability Workgroup. This group, which has developed interoperability criteria for ambulatory EHRs through 2008, comprises ambulatory and inpatient domains.


A voluntary and private-sector initiative, CCHIT's mission is to accelerate the adoption of robust, interoperable HIT solutions throughout the U.S. healthcare system by creating an efficient, credible, and sustainable mechanism for the certification of healthcare IT products. In September 2005, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded CCHIT a three-year contract to develop and evaluate certification criteria and inspection processes for ambulatory (office and clinic) EHRs, inpatient (hospital) EHRs, and the networks through which they interoperate.

"In a proactive measure to prepare for these efforts, Siemens formed its own solution coordination program to help drive its EHR solutions toward CCHIT certification," said Tom Miller, president, Healthcare IT Division, Siemens Medical Solutions. "The appointment of three Siemens' employees to CCHIT work groups demonstrates awareness of Siemens strong initiatives to transform healthcare by delivering creative, effective and compliant solutions."

"CCHIT's achievements reflect the dedication of our volunteers and their commitment to accelerating the adoption of robust, interoperable healthcare IT," said Mark Leavitt, M.D., Ph.D., chair, CCHIT. "Our workgroup members are selected for their individual expertise as well as balanced representation from our stakeholder groups."

Siemens Medical Solutions of Siemens AG (SI) with headquarters in Malvern, Pennsylvania, and Erlangen, Germany, is one of the largest suppliers to the healthcare industry in the world. The company is known for bringing together innovative medical technologies, healthcare information systems, management consulting, and support services, to help customers achieve tangible, sustainable, clinical and financial outcomes. Employing approximately 33,000 people worldwide and operating in more than 120 countries, Siemens Medical Solutions reported sales of 7.6 billion EUR, orders of 8.6 billion EUR and group profit of 976 million EUR for fiscal 2005. More information can be obtained by visiting www.usa.siemens.com/medical-pressroom.
SOURCE: Siemens Medical Solutions

More Voices