This DIRECT messaging service is federally sponsored project that is supposed to allow physicians to securely send patient health information to other physicians, regardless of what EMR/EHR platform they are using. So if the PCP is using AC, and the GI is using Practice Fusion or Epic or eClinical or Fred's EMR they can still easily exchange patient health information.
It seems that some (or perhaps Many) EMR/EHR vendors are intentionally blocking this capability and configuring their systems so that they can only send messages to other users of the same EMR/EHR.
Alice has started working part-time at this clinic that uses Practice Fusion. I got her set up on Direct messaging. I then sent her a direct message from Updox using our direct address. She received this and can reply to it. But....
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1) She cannot add the sender to an address book, and once she replies the message disappears from her inbox.
2) She can only initiate a direct message to other Practice Fusion users. Now, this clinic does not have in-house specialists. So lets say she wanted to refer a patient with abdominal pain to a GI. The GI uses AC (or Epic, or just NOT PRACTICE FUSION) as their EMR. She wants to send a copy of the patients labs and sonogram report to him. SHE CAN'T.
She actually has to print all of this stuff off an and then fax it. This is just freaking ridiculous! I've now read that eClinicalWorks does the same thing. Then some other EMR has some silly configuration where you can only send a Direct message if you attach a CCDA.
I'm curious if any other EMR vendor other that AC is actually cooperating with this. If they aren't, it is a waste of my time. I'd like to ask if a few of you guys (and gals) are working at a second facility that uses a different EMR and has direct messaging, to please try and send me a direct message. About anything. Just a test message.
My direct address is: waynempc@doctorcoghill.amazing-direct.com
Thanks guys!
