Mainstream support for open-source electronic health records is gaining ground. And that's a good thing for physicians.

It's always a good thing to offer more choices and open up the market, especially if it lowers the cost of entry. Many health systems are turning to open source.

The Health IT Policy Committee has recommended to the Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) that the certification process be completed by multiple organizations. This presumably would make it easier for open-source systems to be certified, given the fact that only organization currently designated to certify systems, the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology (CCHIT), has close ties to traditional EHR vendors.

To CCHIT’s credit, the body will be releasing preliminary HHS/ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) EHR technology certification programs in October, with one of them addressing open-source systems. Benefits gleaned from open source will likely demonstrate "meaningful use" under the certification criteria.

Not all providers will be comfortable with open-source systems, which is fine because they can purchase traditional EHRs on the market. Opponents will argue that while open-source software is free, it still requires installation and an open-source community for maintenance and upgrade.

Opponents have made their case. Now they should expend their energies evolving their systems in such areas as user-friendliness, workflow alignment, interoperability, relevant functionality and lower cost.

The bottom line is: With the federal stimulus funds for health IT adoption as a potent incentive, the market is big enough to accommodate all kinds of systems at different price points and capabilities.

Now that the playing field is leveling out, here's a challenge to all EHR vendors: Make the best system you can and let your product speak for itself. Think of ways to collaborate and innovate. It's good for the EHR movement.