The Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange (WEDI), the Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission (EHNAC), and DirectTrust.org are partnering together to further nationwide direct messaging and health information exchange (HIE), the organizations announced this week.
The partnership is aimed at helping health information service providers (HISPs), certificate authorities (CAs), and registration authorities (RAs) become accredited with Direct messaging protocols and guidelines. In 2012, EHNAC launched with DirecTrust.org in 2012 the Direct Trusted Agent Accreditation Program (DTAAP), which recognizes excellence in health data processing and transactions, and confirm compliance with industry-established standards and HIPAA regulations.
This new partnership with WEDI will expand support and adoption of that accreditation initiative. Its goal is to further drive and define data sharing standards and security protocols, and support Stage 2 Meaningful Use transitions of care and patient engagement measures.
“Since the launch of the Direct Trusted Agent Accreditation Program in 2012 and its subsequent endorsement by the ONC, we have been very encouraged by the positive response from healthcare stakeholders looking to ensure the privacy, security and trust of their information exchange,” Lee Barrett, executive director, EHNAC, said in a statement. “EHNAC and DirectTrust are pleased to partner with such a well-respected institution as WEDI, and call on their expertise to help us to continue this momentum.”
