IHDE-enrolled participants can electronically exchange secure, encrypted patient information with other providers, hospitals, labs, pharmacies and long-term care facilities, in Idaho and nationwide, using HIPAA compliant Direct Messaging
Boise, Idaho, August 30, 2016 – The Idaho Health Data Exchange announced today the launch of Direct Messaging in partnership with Secure Exchange Solutions.
Direct Messaging enables electronic, secure, encrypted and HIPAA-compliant communication between clinicians with or without an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system, creating a higher quality of care by connecting all of a patient’s caregivers. Launched in March 2010 as a part of the Nationwide Health Information Network, Direct specifies the secure, scalable and standards-based method for the exchange of Protected Health Information (PHI). The Direct nationwide trust framework is governed by DirectTrust, a collaborative effort between health IT and health care provider organizations that support secure, interoperable health information exchange via the Direct message protocols. IHDE users can easily and inexpensively exchange health information securely while remaining in full compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act. The use of Direct Messaging is clinically important to promote transition of care between a patient’s care team (e.g. primary care provider, hospital, specialist, lab, pharmacy, long-term care facility) involved with out-patient and in-patient visits, helping patients manage chronic health issues, and sending/receiving referrals with other providers.
“To augment to our current services, we are pleased to be offering Direct Messaging to our participants because this solution can easily, efficiently and securely help address gaps in transition of care, including for those of our participants without an EMR solution,” said Scott Carrell, Executive Director. “To advance clinical processes, Direct Messaging supports our participants in their pursuit of meeting certain Meaningful Use objectives. Furthermore, Direct Messaging strengthens our position to securely exchange health record information with participating organizations during the testing and validation of implementation projects,” added Carrell.
Secure Exchange is a leading provider of integrated Direct messaging solutions to health information exchanges and HIE vendors, who rely on SES Direct for advanced Direct messaging, referral solutions, health alerts and robust provider directory services, making it possible for physicians and clinicians nationwide to manage patients and improve care coordination. Secure Exchange is fully accredited by the Direct Trusted Agent Accreditation Program (DTAAP) as a HISP, Certificate Authority, and Registration Authority from DirectTrust.org and the Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission (EHNAC). It also is a Trusted Participant in the DirectTrust Accredited Trust Bundle. “Secure Exchange is pleased to be working with the Idaho Health Data Exchange and to be supporting their HIE participants in meeting their Meaningful Use goals and achieving better coordination of care for the Idaho community. We are excited to partner with IHDE, which, after conducting a review of many options, found Secure Exchange to be the best solution to meet their high standards,” said Dan Kazzaz, CEO of Secure Exchange Solutions.
Features of Direct Messaging include:
- Communicate with any physician, hospital, lab, pharmacy and long-term care facility with or without an EMR system, via Direct secure messaging
- Send and receive HIPAA-compliant messages and documents with other healthcare providers and facilities easily, quickly and securely
- Display and print Continuity of Care Documents (CCDs) from hospitals and providers
- Receive admit and discharge notifications, exchange referrals, pre-op notes, immunization records, patient histories and more
- Gain visibility and increase referrals with access to the Direct Messaging directory, making it easier to find the addresses of colleagues and for referring facilities to identify your Direct address
- Direct-enrolled users may attest for Meaningful Use Stage 2 – Core Measure 17 criteria issued by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC)
IHDE enables authorized and participating health care providers to securely access and exchange critical patient information electronically from hospitals, providers, labs and radiology centers to other health care providers in real-time. IHDE has successfully connected several hospitals, labs and providers and more than 2,000 participating users to the state/regional exchange, and is actively working to connect additional hospitals, physician practices and all other health care stakeholders across Idaho.
About The Idaho Health Data Exchange
The Idaho Health Data Exchange, Inc., a 501(c)(6) non-profit corporation, was established to govern the development and implementation of the health data exchange in Idaho. IHDE is governed by a Board of Directors which provides direction and oversight to the organization. The Board includes representation from both the public and private sectors, including the health care delivery and financing systems, health care providers and consumers.
The IHDE was created as a result of the efforts of the Health Quality Planning Commission. The Health Quality Planning Commission was created by the 2006 Legislature. The Commission was charged with promoting improved quality of care and health outcomes through investment in health information technology.
Initial funding for the effort was appropriated by Idaho’s Legislature and on-going funding comes from participants in the Exchange. For more information visit http://www.idahohde.org and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
About Secure Exchange Solutions
Secure Exchange Solutions sets the standard for seamless, scalable, secure connectivity across organizational boundaries. As an industry-leading health information service provider, Secure Exchange Solutions protects, streamlines and delivers sensitive and critical health care information while ensuring compliance and improving efficiency and quality. Hospitals, health systems, physicians, health plans and channel partners rely on Secure Exchange Solutions for integrated secure communications that expand their reach. For more information, please visit www.secureexsolutions.com
