Five Tennessee-based organizations can be added to the growing list of healthcare providers that have shared health data through a Direct Messaging initiative. The providers, located in Chattanooga and Memphis, are taking part in what is being called the Health eShare Direct Project, which is being spearheaded by the Tennessee Regional Extension Center (tnREC).
HealthSouth Chattanooga Rehabilitation Hospital, Erlanger Health System, Southeast Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability, and Home Health Care of East Tennessee, Inc. and Hospice, are the four Chattanooga providers participating in this venture. Health Choice, LLC, a joint venture between MetroCare Physicians and Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare which had produced a patient-centered medical home (PCMH) model for the Mid-South region, is the Memphis participant.
tnREC is a division of Qsource, a Tennessee-based nonprofit healthcare quality improvement and information technology company, Qsource is aiming to work with providers so more make use of Direct technology, which in recent weeks has been used prominently in Utah, New York State, and elsewhere across the country. Direct gives providers a reportedly secure email-like service, which can facilitate health information exchange (HIE).
"In an era where healthcare spending is under the microscope, we want to ensure providers can always offer high-quality care while reducing costs. Using Direct technology to safely transmit patient data between providers, hospitals, home health agencies, nursing homes and other care settings is the best way to do that. We're excited to be part of the Health eShare Direct Project, and we encourage other providers to join us,” Mitch Graves, CEO of Health Choice, said in a statement.
"Participating in the Health eShare Direct Project will build much-needed informational bridges among providers that will improve patient care, which is our ultimate goal," Laurene Vamprine, vice president and CIO of Erlanger Health System, said in a statement.
