Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA) hold the promise of being the interoperability superhighway for healthcare data. However, there are inherent cybersecurity challenges, which reinforce the need for certifications and accreditation programs to ensure confidence in interoperability.

These were the key themes of a recent HIT Consultant by Lee Barrett, the Commission Executive Director of DirectTrust.

Barrett discusses how EHNAC and HITRUST have long promoted the secure exchange of healthcare data through their accreditation and certification programs. Both organizations have teamed up to offer the Trusted Network Accreditation Program (TNAP) – with the goal of enhancing compliance with TEFCA regulatory standards to address security and privacy requirements.

Along these lines, DirectTrust recently announced that the TNAP-Participant program Version 2.0 criteria is now available for public comment. The TNAP-Participant accreditation program has been revised to address the published Recognized Coordinating Entity requirements that participants and sub-participants must meet to participate with a Qualified Health Information Network (QHIN).

Prior to the merger between DirectTrust and EHNAC, we had the opportunity to record a RosettaHealth podcast with Barrett in 2022, when he was the CEO of EHNAC.

The interview focused on the 2022 release of the criteria versions for the organization’s 20 accreditation programs. Key updates to the 2022 criteria included the addition of new interoperability and information blocking criteria across key related EHNAC accreditation programs.

It also offered updates to the TDRAAP to include recommended best practices to implement provisions of the CMS Interoperability and Member Access Rule.

We applaud all efforts that will bring the true vision of safe and secure health data exchange to life. These types of certification and accreditation programs will certainly make the interoperability superhighway for healthcare data a reality.

RosettaHealth can assist with any health information challenges you might have, book a free consultation with one of our interoperability experts.