May

RGV HIE Achieves EHNAC/THSA Accreditation

Texas HIE accreditation ensures adherence to data processing standards and compliance with security infrastructure, integrity and trusted identity requirements.

Harlingen, TX – May 03, 2016 – RGV HIE, The Rio Grande Valley Health Information Exchange (RGV HIE) is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization dedicated to facilitating the efficient exchange of health information in order to improve the quality of patient care in South Texas, announced today it has achieved full accreditation with the Texas Health Information Exchange Accreditation Program (TX-HIEAP) from the Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission (EHNAC) and the Texas Health Services Authority (THSA). Texas HIE Accreditation ensures HIEs within Texas are interoperable with state and federal programs, and provide the private, secure and proper exchange of health information in accordance with established laws and public policy.

Through the consultative review process, EHNAC and THSA evaluated RGV HIE in areas of privacy, security and confidentiality; technical performance; business practices and organizational resources as it relates to HIE participants in Texas. In addition, EHNAC and THSA reviewed the organization’s process of managing and transferring protected health information and determined that the organization meets or exceeds the necessary program criteria and industry standards. Through completion of the rigorous accreditation process, the organization demonstrates to its constituents its adherence to strict standards and participation in the comprehensive, objective evaluation of its business.

“The Texas HIE Accreditation Program ensures that organizations like RGV HIE meet the specific needs and legal requirements of the state, in addition to the national HIE program,” says Lee Barrett, executive director of EHNAC. “By achieving accreditation, RGV HIE has proven its commitment to the highest standards in privacy, security, confidentiality and sustainability in health information exchange, and we commend them on such a considerable accomplishment.”

“Increasing confidence and trust in organizations involved in exchanging and maintaining electronic health information will not only foster greater participation in HIEs, but also support sustainability of HIE efforts in Texas and across the United States,” stated Tony Gilman, CEO of the Texas Health Services Authority.

He continued, “I would like to commend RGV HIE for its work to support an interoperable, private, and secure HIE network.”

RGV HIE works with a variety of healthcare providers, including physicians, hospitals and specialists to ensure that critical health information is communicated in a consistent and secure manner.

About Organization

Electronic health information exchange, or HIE, is an efficient and secure way to share critical patient information with a variety of healthcare providers, including physicians, hospitals, and insurance companies. HIE is primarily used to improve treatment quality by giving healthcare providers the information they need to ensure that patients receive the best possible care.

About THSA

The Texas Health Services Authority is responsible for coordinating the implementation of health information exchange (HIE) in Texas. The THSA was created by the Texas legislature in 2007 as a public-private partnership, legally structured as a non-profit corporation, to support the improvement of the Texas health care system by promoting and coordinating HIE and health information technology (HIT) throughout the state to ensure that the right information is available to the right health care providers at the right times. For more information, visit www.HIETexas.org.

About EHNAC

The Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission (EHNAC) is a voluntary, self-governing standards development organization (SDO) established to develop standard criteria and accredit organizations that electronically exchange healthcare data. These entities include electronic health networks, payers, financial services firms, health information exchanges, medical billers, outsourced services, e-prescribing solution providers and direct trusted agents.

EHNAC was founded in 1993 and is a tax-exempt 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization. Guided by peer evaluation, the EHNAC accreditation process promotes quality service, innovation, cooperation and open competition in healthcare. To learn more, visit www.ehnac.org or contact info@ehnac.org. Connect with EHNAC on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.