RICHMOND, Va., Apr 05, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- ConnectVirginia, the Commonwealth's Statewide Health Information Exchange (HIE), is pleased to announce that it is now live with DIRECT Messaging. ConnectVirginia DIRECT Messaging allows health care providers to electronically share patient health information in a method similar to e-mail, but with the added security required for sensitive health information. ConnectVirginia is operating under contract with the Virginia Department of Health.
ConnectVirginia's DIRECT Messaging is based on the national Direct Project, which was launched in March 2010 by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). DIRECT Messaging is a "push" secure messaging system where information is sent from one registered provider directly to another registered provider who is known to the sender. This one-way exchange allows any licensed, certified or regulated health care providers to easily share vital patient information yet still retain the high level of security required for protected health information (PHI).
Dr. Sterling Ransone of Riverside Fishing Bay Family Practice, Deltaville, Virginia, commented, "Sharing information between providers as patients transition through different care settings is an important step in providing the best care possible. DIRECT Messaging has made doing so faster and more secure, and it's easy to use."
Sandy McCleaf, ConnectVirginia's Executive Director, stated, "In addition to DIRECT Messaging providing a secure means to send patient information, it also helps providers meet specific Meaningful Use requirements by enabling the electronic exchange of patient care summaries, results, and other information. Every provider in the Commonwealth is encouraged to take advantage of this capability."
DIRECT Messaging is available free of charge until April 1, 2013. After that time, a low monthly fee of $15 per DIRECT Messaging address will be applied ($180 per year invoiced annually).
More information on ConnectVirginia DIRECT Messaging can be found at www.connectvirginia.org/direct-messaging
About ConnectVirginia
ConnectVirginia is the Statewide Health Information Exchange (HIE) for the Commonwealth of Virginia. It provides a safe, confidential, electronic system to support the exchange of patient medical records among healthcare providers, both here in Virginia and beyond. ConnectVirginia is operating under contract with the Virginia Department of Health and is being led by Community Health Alliance, Inc., a Virginia-based not-for-profit company, and a governing body of health care professionals and executives from across the Commonwealth. For more information please visit www.connectvirginia.org .
SOURCE: ConnectVirginia
ConnectVirginia
Sandy McCleaf, 804-955-1788
Executive Director
[email protected]