CRUD

CRUD is an acronym used in IT that stands for Create, Read, Update, and Delete. These functions are the essential functions that are necessary to create and maintain data in a database or data management system such as in EHR.  In this post we discuss how patient data is kept updated in near real-time by using Direct Secure Messaging and CRU operations to create, read, and update Medical Records in an EHR system regardless of care setting, provider, or EHR system (see the next paragraph for a discussion of Delete).

Delete

Let’s start with Delete. Medical Records document events that happen at a certain point in time. Once the provider signs the Medical Record it becomes a legal document that cannot be deleted. Each state has its own laws on how long a Medical Record must be retained after the care has been given, but that’s a topic for another post. A Medical Record can be amended to correct errors in the record; however, the content of the original signed Medical Record must be maintained along with the new Medical Record information, the date and time that the Medical Record is being corrected, who is making the correction, and their signature. Because of these requirements in health care, we don't delete information in a Medical Record.

Direct Secure Messaging can be used for CRU

Let's focus on CRU (create, read, and update) using Direct Secure Messaging.  Direct Secure Messaging is based on the Direct Protocol, an ANSI Standard which is maintained by DirectTrust, a Standards Development Organization.  DirectTrust is also an Accreditation Organization for DirectTrust Accredited Trust Anchor HISPs (Health Information Services Providers). DirectTrust Accredited Trust Anchor HISPs must comply with extensive Privacy, Security and Trust requirements. Direct Messaging has been required to be in every Certified EHR system since inception of Meaningful Use (now known as Promoting Interoperability). 

Direct Secure Messaging can be used to create, read, and update Medical Records in the patient’s chart inside the EHR. This is done by sending and receiving Direct Messages. Direct Secure Messages are required to be in both human readable and machine-readable formats. You can’t spoof or span a Direct Secure Message as the sender and receiver are identity proofed and their identity is always known. Plus, there is an audit trail of all Direct Secure Messages.

Secure Direct Messaging can be used to:

1. Deliver data to the provider at the point of care to the patient’s chart inside the EHR.

2. Bi-directionally communicate among patients, providers, and payers.

3. Send demographic and insurance data at the time of referral of a patient.

4. Improve care coordination by keeping the care team in the loop.

5. Automatically Populate data inside the patients’ chart inside the EHR.

6. Create new entries for items such as problems, medications, allergies, and vaccines, laboratory test results, radiological reports, physical therapy notes, office visits, surgeries, inpatient and outpatient hospital admissions and much more.

7. Send and/or receive event notifications when a patient is admitted, discharged, and/or transferred to or from the hospital or other facility.

8. Record patient generated health data form devices and from patient completed forms.

9.  Automate Repetitive Tasks - Direct Secure Messages can also be used to automate repetitive tasks reducing the burden on providers and staff. For example, a provider via their EHR can receive an event notification that one of their patient's is being admitted to a hospital. Then the physician’s EHR can automatically respond by sending the hospital the patient’s most recent Medical Record. Using trigger events, Direct Secure Messaging can be used for "always on interoperability" by sharing Medical Records seamlessly and automatically behind the scenes and without human intervention. This helps to get the right information, to the right provider, on the right patient, at the right time so that they are kept informed of the patient’s medical care.

A huge benefit of Direct Secure Messaging is that the is that the data does not have to be re-entered and is therefore more accurate because it matches the data that was sent by the sending system. These original records can also be stored in the EHR. This saves provider and staff time, improves the overall user experience, and is more interactive for the user. In addition, transactions can also be sent in near real-time reaching the provider quickly with the most recent data available.

Some of the key benefits of CRU operations using the Direct Secure Messaging help are:

1. Streamlined Data Management: CRU operations allow healthcare professionals to efficiently create, read and update Medical Records in real time ensuring that the data is up-to-date and accurate. This streamlines data management, helps to reduce the risk of errors, and helps facilitate the provider’s ability to make more informed clinical decisions because they have the most recent information available when and where they need it.

2.  Improved Patient Care: With accurate and readily available data, healthcare providers can better assess patient needs and make more informed decisions regarding their patient care. This leads to improved patient outcomes, as well as more personalized and targeted treatments.

3. Enhanced Interoperability: Health IT systems that support CRU operations can easily bi-directionally exchange data with other systems, promoting interoperability between different healthcare organizations, departments, and providers. This seamless data exchange is essential for care coordination and collaboration among healthcare providers.

4. Increased Regulatory Compliance: Health IT systems that support CRU operations via Direct Secure Messaging are better equipped to comply with privacy regulations, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which mandate the secure and private handling of patients' personal health information. Direct Secure Messaging system control access to patient data, track changes, and maintain audit logs, thereby help providers to improve regulatory compliance for security, privacy, and trust.

5. Reduced Administrative Burden: Health IT systems with CRU capabilities help reduce the administrative burden on healthcare professionals by automating routine tasks, such as data entry and retrieval. This frees up time and resources to provide patient care and other high-value activities.

In summary, CRU operations using Direct Secure Messaging in Health IT systems are critical for the efficient management of health care data which can lead to better patient care, improved interoperability, regulatory compliance, and near real-time data-driven decision-making.

About iShare Medical

iShare Medical is the trusted online communication platform for sending, receiving, and integrating medical records nationwide. 

By signing up for an iShareID Direct Address and iShare Medical Messaging Account you will be able to send and receive Direct Messages across organizational boundaries to providers, payers, and devices via our nationwide network of 2.8 million healthcare providers. This helps you to improve care coordination, reduce costs, and save time.   Plus, the iShareID Direct Address and iShare Medical Messaging account include access to and a listing in the iShare Medical Directory of Direct Addresses. 

Share Medical is EHNAC Accredited for Privacy and Security and a DirectTrust Accredited Trust Anchor Health Information Services Provider (HISP).  iShare Medical has been a DirectTrust Accredited Trust Anchor since it's inception of the Accredited Trust Anchor Bundle in 2015.

Sign up today for iShare Medical Messaging and start sharing medical records now.  Call us today at 816.249.2555 or email us at info@isharemedical.com.