In July, we announced the launch of our Open Test Method Development Pilot Program to create new test methods for two 2014 Edition EHR certification criteria through an open, community-led, development process.

Now, three months later, we want to provide a progress report on the pilot program.

With input from across the stakeholder community, two certification criteria for test method development were selected – the Electronic Prescribing and Clinical Decision Support certification criteria. Next, the community developed and selected a single test method template that could be used for test procedures and data.

These criteria and templates were the result of weekly roundtable discussions during which members of the community collaborated with ONC and other interested parties to select the “best in breed” from each submission to construct a truly community-developed template.

With a template in hand, participants have now moved on to the final (and for many, most exciting) stage of the program – development  of content for the test method elements.

The pilot program runs through October, so there is still time to get involved. You can still take part in one or both of the work groups that are developing content for the two selected certification criteria.

From now through October, each certification criterion workgroup will meet weekly. Electronic-Prescribing takes place on Thursdays from 1:30 to 2:30pm ET and Clinical Decision Support takes place Fridays 1:30 to 2:30pm ET. Participants are welcome to join both groups, or select the group which reflects their own experiences and interests most directly.

Feedback generated by the group will be automatically tracked on each project’s page and publicly available. Please visit the Pilot Program page to register for regular updates and announcements and feel free to comment below.