In the Midwest, three states, Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska have successfully exchanged Direct messages across state lines, according to The Nebraska Health Information Initiative (NeHII), Kansas Health Information Network (KHIN), and Missouri Health Connection (MHC). This comes after Missouri and Illinois recently announced they had exchanged test messages.

“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,” Mary Kasal, president and CEO of Missouri Health Connection.  “We’re excited to now be connected to Kansas, Nebraska and Illinois and look forward to connecting with all our border states.”

According to Laura McCrary, executive director of Kansas Health Information Network, this will help streamline communication 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,” she said.

The Direct project was launched in March 2010 as a part of the Nationwide Health Information Network. Direct secured messaging allows care providers to send and receive authenticated, encrypted health care 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.