Until recently, the exchange of patient records across state lines has typically happened between bordering states. The Delaware Health Information Network (DHIN) and the Kansas Health Information Network has changed that by transmitting patient records over state lines via Direct messaging, the two organizations recently announced.
The two organizations, which are responsible for deploying their respective statewide health information exchanges (HIEs), transmitted the record through the Direct messaging products of the Harrisburg, Pa.-based AlliedHIE Company and the Nashville-based ICA. The Direct Project aims to provide an interoperable infrastructure that allows for the transmitting of health information across differing organizations in a HIPAA-compliant format.
“We are very pleased to validate national interoperability with KHIN and the Kansas medical community through Direct messaging. Our two dynamic states have business leaders, families, students and vacationers visiting each state and now we can quickly, confidently and securely exchange medical information when medical need warrants the same,” Jan Lee, M.D., executive director of DHIN, said in a statement. “With our core HIE transactions approaching one million a month, Delaware remains committed to helping advance national interoperability and the Direct Project. It’s an important next step."
“What is exciting about this connection is that patients no longer have to be concerned that their important medical records may not be available when they travel across the country,” stated Laura McCrary, executive director of KHIN. McCrary’s KHIN recently made waves for not only transmitting patient records across state lines through Direct, but sharing immunization data with the state registry.
