Mention health information exchange and complex and cumbersome computer programs and systems immediately come to mind. Healthcare providers, concerned about disruptions to their daily routines or lost productivity, may feel that they will have to wait to benefit from the electronic exchange of health information.
Fortunately, neither is true in Alabama, according to Gary Parker, project director for One Health Record®, Alabama’s Health Information Exchange.
When fully implemented, One Health Record® will offer two-way, or interoperable, sharing of data for providers who have federally-certified electronic health record systems. However, providers can now take advantage of a lesser known, but important tool within One Health Record® called “Direct” or provider-to-provider secure messaging at no cost.
“Secure messaging via the One Health Record® web portal is ideal for providers who want to enjoy some of the benefits of health information exchange but are not yet in a position to adopt and use a certified EHR system,” Parker explained.
Using a provider’s existing computer, an enrolled participant can go online to the One Health Record® web portal and immediately view ALL Kids or Medicaid patient data and send a secure, encrypted message with attachments to another enrolled provider.
For providers who previously depended on mailing or faxing to transmit paper-based records, the new direct messaging system offers a higher level of accuracy and security. For example, a referring doctor can send patient data to another physician quickly and easily, potentially preventing the need for tests to be repeated, Parker said.
The direct messaging system was first available in February 2012 and now has more than 400 enrolled providers with additional participants expected soon, he said. Starting in August, Parker will coordinate an effort to link four community hospitals and the University of Alabama at Birmingham through the direct messaging system.
One group that stands to particularly benefit from direct messaging is the state’s community mental health centers. Case managers at the centers previously have had to rely on their own progress notes, patient accounts and other anecdotal information when working the individuals with mental illness or people with intellectual disabilities.
“Direct messaging offers a significant advantage for the mental health community, even though mental health professionals are not eligible for the federal incentive program,” said Parker. “Most mental health centers cannot afford to upgrade their computer systems. With direct messaging, case managers can log in, pull up the patient’s information, see what prescriptions have been filled, and determine if the person has been to the doctor or the emergency room.”
He explained that with information in hand, case managers can make appointments and securely send information to a physician or hospital and facilitate communication between patient and provider.
We recognize that shifting away from a paper-based system represent a major change in a provider’s workflow,” Parker said. “Direct messaging provides a way for everyone to participate in some way and then when they are ready, move to a more robust, two-way exchange of health information and gain the full benefits of Alabama’s health information exchange.”
For more information, or to sign up for direct messaging, providers should call (334) 353-4121 or email info@onehealthrecord.alabama.gov