Overview
EHR technology must have the capability to allow secure messaging and communications between patients and providers.
PI Objective and Calculation
The provider must use secure electronic messaging to communicate with patients on relevant health information.
Measure: For more than 5% of unique patients seen by the EP during the EHR reporting period, a secure message was sent by the EP using the electronic messaging function of CEHRT to the patient (or the patient-authorized representative), or in response to a secure message sent by the patient (or the patient-authorized representative) during the EHR reporting period.
Denominator: The number of unique patients seen by the eligible professional during the reporting period.
Numerator: The number of patients in the denominator for whom a secure electronic message is sent to the patient (or patient-authorized representative), or in response to a secure message sent by the patient (or patient-authorized representative), during the reporting period.
EXCLUSIONS:
- Any EP who has no office visits during the EHR reporting period, or
- Any EP who conducts 50 percent or more of his or her patient encounters in a county that does not have 50 percent or more of its housing units with 4 Mbps broadband availability according to the latest information available from the FCC on the first day of the EHR reporting period.
Promoting Interoperability Discussion
Electronic messaging is one of the most widely used communication tools in the world. On a per-case basis, electronic messaging is an inexpensive tool that allows providers and patients to communicate even in times when both parties aren’t simultaneously available. Standard email services do not offer a level of security required for potentially sensitive protected health information.
RevolutionEHR features an integrated secure messaging module that allows these patient/provider discussions to take place. This can be accessed through the “Messages” button along the header bar. The messaging module operates similar to a standard e-mail system with deliveries to the patient arriving in the PHR.
To message a patient, the provider will click “Message” along the patient header bar:
This will open the secure messaging system with a compose window addressed to the patient. When send is clicked, the message is delivered to the patient’s PHR. Additionally, a HIPAA-secure notification is sent to the e-mail address on file to alert the patient to the waiting message.
Messages sent to patients by non-provider staff members will not count in the numerator.
Video Discussion
Conclusion
The secure messaging objective is easy for all RevolutionEHR customers as doctors and patients have the ability to communicate securely through RevolutionPHR.
Importantly, this measure is scored completely on actions the doctor takes and does not require the patient to reply or even open the message for credit.
