NOM-024 Mexico: Practical Guide to Electronic Medical Records (2026)

NOM-024-SSA3 is Mexico's official standard establishing functional and interoperability requirements for electronic medical record (ECE) systems. Originally published in 2012 and subsequently updated, it defines what a system must have to be considered a valid electronic medical record.

If your clinic or hospital in Mexico uses or plans to use a digital medical record system, you need to understand what this standard requires.

What is NOM-024-SSA3?

NOM-024 establishes:

• Minimum functionalities an ECE system must have
• Interoperability requirements based on international standards
• Security and privacy criteria for information
• Certification process through CENETEC (National Center of Technological Excellence in Health)

Is it mandatory?

NOM-024 is mandatory for all healthcare providers in Mexico who use electronic medical record systems. If you use a digital system to record clinical information, that system must comply with the standard.

Main functional requirements

1. Patient identification

• Registration with CURP and/or official identification
• Unique record linkage to patient
• Complete demographic data

2. Clinical notes

• Admission, progress, consultation, and discharge notes
• Structured fields and free text
• ICD-10 coding for diagnoses
• Linkage with orders and results

3. Electronic prescription

• Medication catalog (basic formulary)
• Dose, route, frequency, and duration
• Drug interaction alerts
• Prescriber's electronic signature

4. Study orders

• Lab and imaging requests from the record
• Linkage with results
• Order status (requested, in process, completed)

5. Results

• Lab and imaging result visualization
• Linkage with the clinical note that ordered them
• Critical value alerts

6. Security

• Role-based access control
• Access auditing (who viewed what, when)
• Sensitive data encryption
• Electronic signature for document validation

Interoperability under NOM-024

The standard establishes that ECE systems must support interoperability through:

The trend is toward FHIR as the primary standard. Read more about HL7 vs FHIR.

CENETEC certification

CENETEC is the body responsible for evaluating and certifying that an ECE system complies with NOM-024.

Certification process

1. The software vendor submits their system for evaluation
2. CENETEC verifies compliance with each functional requirement
3. A conformity determination is issued (or not)
4. The determination has a validity period and must be renewed

Is your system certified?

Verify with your vendor whether their system has a current CENETEC conformity determination. If it doesn't, your electronic medical record may not comply with regulations.

How it affects your clinic

Frequently asked questions

Can I continue using paper records?

Yes, NOM-004 remains in effect for paper records. But if you decide to use an electronic system, that system must comply with NOM-024.

What happens if my software doesn't comply with NOM-024?

The main risk is regulatory: in an audit, your electronic record may not have legal validity. It also affects quality accreditation and certification processes.

Does NOM-024 apply to small private practices?

Yes, it applies to all healthcare providers using an electronic system, regardless of size.

Does Davix comply with NOM-024?

Davix HIS is designed to meet NOM-024 functional requirements: patient identification, structured clinical notes, electronic prescription, results integration, role-based security, and electronic signature.

Conclusion

NOM-024 defines the rules for electronic medical records in Mexico:

• It's mandatory for every provider using an electronic system.
• Defines minimum functionalities: clinical notes, prescriptions, results, security.
• Requires interoperability with international standards (HL7, FHIR, DICOM).
• CENETEC certification validates compliance — verify your system has it.
• Davix HIS meets NOM-024 requirements with interoperability and electronic signature integrated.

Check Davix pricing or schedule a demo to see how to comply with NOM-024.