Bronx RHIO implements direct secure messaging

Maintaining security standards as Health Information Exchange (HIE) expansion continues is critical for any healthcare provider. It’s also essential that patient data stays secure as it is transported from one organization to the next. Those necessities were in the forefront of the minds of officials at the Bronx Regional Health Information Organization (RHIO) when it opted for direct secure messaging services.

The Bronx RHIO selected DataMotion for its direct secure messaging services to its affiliated healthcare organizations. DataMotion Direct is Stage 2 Meaningful Use compliant and can serve as a way for healthcare organizations to protect patient information.

Charles Scaglione, executive director at the Bronx RHIO, discussed the move with HealthITSecurity and said that direct secure messaging is an important feature to be able to offer.

“It’s a much more secure, timely method of transferring information,” Scaglione said. “It allows the physician to have a much better understanding of the care that was provided and [they can] then improve on the care.”

Scaglione added that there will likely be a lower cost because activities will not be duplicated as physicians will be able to see all procedures that were already done.

The Bronx RHIO is HIPAA compliant, Scaglione said, and the organization takes privacy and security very seriously. New York also has stringent rules and policies that the Bronx RHIO must follow, along with its own policies and procedures. With that in mind, Scaglione said that the Bronx RHIO knew that it needed a direct messaging service provider that had a good track record and had a product that was easy to use.

“Our number one priority was making sure it was a secure solution,” Scaglione said. “DataMotion has a breadth of experience in delivering secure solutions to all industries, including healthcare.”

It was also important to have a secure system for communication because New York has an opt-in consent model, according to Scaglione, meaning patient data cannot be accessed until the patient gives permission.

“We’re a custodian of that data,” Scaglione said. “Nobody sees that data unless they have permission to see the data. That is the number one operating principle for the Bronx RHIO.”

The Bronx RHIO also operates as a conduit and a repository for data because of that opt-in consent. The organization works as a repository, but patient information cannot be accessed unless the patient says the Bronx RHIO can be a conduit of passing that data onto their provider.

Overall, Scaglione said that direct secure messaging is an emerging technology that proactively sends important information to providers. Typically, providers need to take the steps in pulling different pieces of data together.

“It’s a consolidated piece of information that’s delivered securely to [providers] right when they need it, where they need it, in order to treat that patient more effectively,” Scaglione said. “So it changes the game a little bit because it allows them to better coordinate the care of the patients and be more timely, which is critical.”