Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska Connect Via Direct Secured Messaging

The Nebraska Health Information Initiative (NeHII), Kansas Health Information Network (KHIN), and Missouri Health Connection (MHC) recently announced they are now connected and able to exchange Direct secure messages across state lines.

“By connecting with Kansas and Nebraska, Missouri Health Connection is leading the way towards improved care for patients who cross state lines for medical care,” said Mary Kasal, president and CEO of MHC. “We’re excited to now be connected to Kansas, Nebraska, and Illinois and look forward to connecting with all our border states.”

“This is an exciting achievement that will help streamline communication, particularly for patients who live near the Kansas/Missouri and Kansas/Nebraska state lines. Many patients see healthcare providers in Kansas and then receive additional care in surrounding states. It is vital that providers have a safe, secure method to communicate critical patient information across state lines,” said Laura McCrary EdD, executive director of KHIN.

“Having Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri connected is one more step towards more coordinated care,” said Deb Bass, CEO of the NeHII. “We here in the Midwest are proud to be on the forefront of healthcare transformation through the use of technology.”

This milestone announcement from Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska comes on the heels of Missouri and Illinois recently announcing they successfully exchanged test messages.

The Direct project was launched in March 2010 as a part of the Nationwide Health Information Network. With Direct Secured Messaging, care providers can send and receive authenticated, encrypted healthcare information such as lab results, clinical notes, and patient care summaries through a secure electronic mailbox system to and from trusted recipients over the Internet. By connecting Missouri’s and Illinois’ Direct Secured Messaging health information service providers, providers can now eliminate faxing multiple pages across state borders and instead use an easy, quick, and secure Direct secured e-mail message.

Source: Missouri Health Connection