Three-year strategy, seven key initiatives to enhance certification services
TORONTO, Nov. 4, 2014 /CNW/ -Today, Canada Health Infoway (Infoway) and Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC) announced the completion of a joint review that evaluated digital health certification services in Canada.
"Certification services help jurisdictions, hospitals and other digital health customers identify solutions that meet their needs," explained Michael Green, President and CEO, Canada Health Infoway. "Infoway certification signals to the digital health market that Infoway certified products will meet the privacy, security and interoperability requirements in Canada."
The implementation of the following seven key initiatives will enhance Infoway certification services, building on the strong foundation already in place. This work is underway and will be completed over the next three years:
- Evolve governance mechanisms and operations, such as forming an Advisory Committee with representatives from jurisdictions, clinicians, patients and the vendor community.
- Review and enhance the certification offering for privacy and security and update requirements where necessary to increase alignment between Infoway certification requirements and federal/provincial legislation.
- Review and enhance the certification offerings for interoperability and quality management. This includes identifying regional differences and advocating for harmonization of requirements among key decision makers.
- Enhance services through a regular review process to reassess and update product types, certification requirements and test procedures.
- Monitor trends in the digital health environment and participate in mobile health care application certification initiatives where appropriate.
- Market and raise the profile of Infoway's Certification Services offerings to key stakeholders, such as hospitals and jurisdictions.
- Promote Infoway's Certification Services to certification bodies in other countries as appropriate.
"This strategy will allow digital health companies to focus on growing their business through a streamlined national certification process," said Karna Gupta, President and CEO, Information Technology Association of Canada. "It is the right thing to do for the health care system and its users because it makes digital health solutions more accessible to Canadians and demonstrates that systems are private, secure and interoperate with other digital health information systems."
"Infoway has an important role and strong track record in leading certification services in Canada," said Mark Nenadovic, Group Director, Certification Services, Canada Health Infoway. "We look forward to working with our partners to further the value certification delivers to the digital health community."
To learn more about Certification Services or for access to the report, visit www.infoway-inforoute.ca.
About Certification Services
Infoway launched its certification service in 2009, to help inform digital health solutions customers, from jurisdictions to hospitals, that the product they are considering conforms to national privacy, security and interoperability standards.
About Canada Health Infoway
Infoway helps to improve the health of Canadians by working with partners to accelerate the development, adoption and effective use of digital health across Canada. Through our investments, we help deliver better quality and access to care and more efficient delivery of health services for patients and clinicians. Infoway is an independent, not-for-profit organization funded by the federal government.
About Information Technology Association of Canada
ITAC is the voice of the Canadian information and communications technologies (ICT) industry. It is a prominent advocate for the expansion of Canada's innovative capacity and for stronger productivity across all sectors through the strategic use of technology.
SOURCE: Canada Health Infoway
Dan Strasbourg, Director, Media Relations, Canada Health Infoway, Tel: (416) 595-3424, [email protected]; Steve Proctor, Director, Communications, Information Technology Association of Canada, Tel: (905) 602-8345 ext. 2232, [email protected]
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