A change of vetting for the NHS Apps Library by spring 2020

November 14, 2019 | by

NHSX, the multi-department team from NHS England, the Department of Health and Social Care, and NHS Improvement established earlier this year [TTA 18 Apr], announced last week a new approach to the accreditation of digital health apps for the NHS Apps Library. The plan is to transition from the present direct assessment into accrediting independent assessors using an open standard. NHSX announced that they will undertake this change in a two-step process:

  • Create a digital health technology standard based on those existing for industry and health, combining present questions with other data and interoperability standards
  • Develop a clearer review, assessment and evaluation approach for digital health tools, including a list of external assessors who will be in turn accredited to apply the new standard

This approach to the perennial problem of app vetting is scheduled to be completed by spring of 2020, not too far away.

In related developments:

  • NHSX will also work with the Accelerated Access Collaborative on a pipeline to deliver digital products through to priority areas
  • NHSX’s departing (as of October end) director of digital development Dr. Sam Shah has been ranked fourth in the #IB100, a list of the top 100 most influential black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) leaders in the tech sector. HealthcareITNews Europe/UK

UKAuthority.com  Hat tip to Alistair Appleby of Wokingham Borough Council 

ATA in the accreditation arena for online patient visits

December 17, 2014 | by
[grow_thumb image=”https://telecareaware.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/ata-seal-of-accreditation.png” thumb_width=”150″ /]The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) has joined the gold rush of accreditation, in this case for online ‘virtual’ visits between doctor and patient only. US providers (only) can apply to ATA’s Accreditation Program for Online Patient Consultations through a multi-step process for vetting up to three years.

  • First round application clears a company for eligibility. Through 28 Feb 2015, it is also open to ATA members only: Institutional Members, Sustaining President’s Circle and President’s Circle. On 1 March it will open to all companies in the US. Canada accreditation will start at a date to be announced in 2015.
  • Once eligible, the second round application contains ATA Administrative Rules & Terms, Standards and Guidance, Application Form, Program Overview and Fee Schedule. Fees are annual, based on the numbers of providers of online, real-time patient consults in all service lines, which presumably means areas such as primary care, behavioral, pediatric etc.
  • The company provides an application and supporting documentation. ATA then conducts a survey to review the documentation, online resources and demonstration of online services. During the process, ATA says it will notify about areas which are not compliant and organizations will have the opportunity to “provide a plan of corrective action and present corrective materials to show compliance before a final decision regarding accreditation is rendered.”
  • The accreditation is valid for three years, contingent on submitting an Annual Accreditation Report at the beginning of year 2 and 3 of its accreditation cycle.

Of interest to your Editors and readers is how this accreditation was developed.  (more…)