{"id":654,"date":"2014-09-25T17:29:26","date_gmt":"2014-09-25T17:29:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/reviewob.dev\/2014\/09\/25\/direct-messaging-communicate-securely-with-other-healthcare-providers\/"},"modified":"2024-01-09T04:42:50","modified_gmt":"2024-01-09T09:42:50","slug":"direct-messaging-communicate-securely-with-other-healthcare-providers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reviewob.com\/direct-messaging-communicate-securely-with-other-healthcare-providers\/","title":{"rendered":"Direct Messaging: Communicate Securely with Other Healthcare Providers"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Michael J. Lyons, OD, FAAO\"\"<\/h3>\n
\n
\n
SYNOPSIS<\/h5>\n

Establishing protocols for direct messaging to other healthcare providers meets Meaningful Use 2 requirements and facilitates team-based patient treatment.<\/p>\n

ACTION POINTS<\/h5>\n

USE DIRECT MESSAGING TO MEET MU 2<\/strong>. Sharing patient information with other healthcare providers via a secure electronic system is an MU 2 requirement.
\nCALCULATE COST<\/strong>. Eligible physicianswill spend an estimated $48,000-$58,000 over the next five years to meet MU requirements; about 5 percent of that cost should be devoted to communications like direct messaging.
\nAPPLY DIRECT MESSAGING TO PATIENT CARE<\/strong>. Your patient’s cataract surgeon will be electronically updated with pre-op exam findings and you will electronically receive reports about the surgery.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

I have a goal for the next year: to establish secure messaging with other healthcare providers through a free, government-provided software called Direct Secure Messaging. Known simply as “Direct,” this software, which is also available via an online download, is already a part of most EHR systems. All independent ODsshould have the same goal as it is a required part of Meaningful Use 2, and doing so will provide better patient care.<\/p>\n

This communication will replace our conventional way of sending reports to other offices, which is currently done via a secured fax line or mail. Direct is a federal initiative messaging system designed for healthcare communications. It utilizes an encrypted, e-mail-like platform to provide standard, secure messages. When a message is sent through Direct, the content is protected via the encryption.<\/p>\n

An important project taking effect in seven major markets nationwide, including the Greater Cincinnati Region, where my practice is located, is known as the Comprehensive Primary Care Initiative<\/a><\/strong>. This project launched in 2012 and involves only primary care physicians that applied and met the necessary requirements for enrollment. The project is evaluating the delivery model of primary health care, including the electronic communication between physicians in different health care systems.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
Learn More About Direct Secure Messaging<\/h5>\n

Click HERE<\/a><\/strong> to learn more about Direct, a free software from the federal government. All healthcare providers using this messaging software will be able to share information about patients with greater ease, seamlessly importing patient data into one another’s EHR systems.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Use Direct Secure Messaging to Meet Meaningful Use Requirements<\/h5>\n

Direct Secure Messaging is part of Stage 2 of Meaningful Use<\/a><\/strong>. MU is defined as using certified electronic health record (EHR) technology to:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Improve quality, safety and efficiency, and reduce health disparities<\/p>\n