An Implementation of DIRECT Messaging: HISPs and Provider Directories Connect a Medical Community
Sujansky & Associates led the implementation and operation of a DIRECT Messaging infrastructure in the Palomar Health District in Southern California. The infrastructure enabled several hospitals, large multi-specialty clinics and small independent providers to exchange patient health information per the secure messaging protocols defined by the DIRECT Project. The goals of the pilot project were to assess the utility and practical applicability of the DIRECT messaging model in real-world settings. The project was funded by the California HealthCare Foundation.

Components of the DIRECT messaging infrastructure included:

• Two Health Internet Service Providers (HISPs) from different vendors.
• A community-wide provider directory accessible via the HPDPlus web-services standard.
• End-user messaging via a stand-alone web email client and integrated EHR systems.

The infrastructure operated in the Palomar Health District under the name SoCalHIE.

Relevant documents:

DIRECT Messaging Pilot: Results and Evaluation (Report) (PDF)
DIRECT Messaging Pilot: A Novel Trust Framework (Presentation) (PDF)
A Provider Directory for DIRECT Secure Messaging (Link)

Sujansky & Associates' role in this project included:

• Recruitment of participating hospitals, clinics, and physician office practices
  
  
• Selection and procurement of DIRECT messaging software components (including two HISPs and a Provider Directory) that were compatible with the participants' legacy information systems and health information management processes
  
  
• Integration of the EHRs, HISPs, and Provider Directory to create an effective and user-friendly messaging application at each participating organization
  
  
• Development of a contractual and policy framework that provided for trust and accountability among the participating provider organizations.
  

Highlights

Sujansky & Associates developed a technical, legal, and operational framework for independent provider organizations using multiple HISPs to securely exchange health information.

Sujansky & Associates integrated commercial software from multiple vendors to evaluate the real-world effectiveness of the DIRECT messaging and provider-directory specifications as industry standards.