Latin America. IdenTrust (which is part of HID Global) announced that it has obtained full accreditation with the Direct Trusted Agent Accreditation (DTAAP) program – from DirectTrust and the Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission (EHNAC) – as a certificate authority (CA) and registration authority (RA). Direct Trusted Agent accreditation recognizes excellence in health data processing and transactions and ensures compliance with industry standards, HIPAA regulations, and the Direct Project.
Through the consultative review process, EHNAC evaluated IdenTrust in the areas of privacy, security and confidentiality, technical performance, business practices and organizational resources and in terms of its status as a participant in secure electronic health information exchanges (Directed Exchange). Additionally, EHNAC reviewed the process implemented by the organization to manage and transfer confidential health information and determined that it meets, or even exceeds, all EHNAC criteria and industry standards. By successfully concluding the rigorous accreditation process, the organization demonstrates to its members its compliance with strict regulations and its participation in a comprehensive and objective business evaluation process.
"The Direct Trusted Agent Accreditation program, which is endorsed by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), ensures that organizations like IdenTrust establish and maintain a high degree of trust for their owners, employees, customers and suppliers," said Lee Barrett, executive director of EHNAC. "The need in the market for guidance and accountability mechanisms in the exchange of health information is undeniable, so we applaud IdenTrust's commitment to achieving the highest standards of privacy, security and confidentiality," he added.
"We are very proud that IdenTrust is joining the DirectTrust community of secure networks for the exchange of health information," said Dr. David C. Kibbe, president and CEO of DirectTrust. "IdenTrust is widely known for the identity management and verification features and products it offers. Counting on them in the healthcare industry to support the secure and interoperable exchange of data through the Direct protocol is an important step forward. Achieving a stronger level of security requires robust identity validation. Thanks to IdenTrust, exchange communities can count on a company with integrity, expertise and excellent business value."
Electronic Health Information Exchange (HIE) enables doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health care providers, as well as patients, to securely access and share vital medical information of a user, thereby improving speed, quality, safety and the cost of care provided to the patient. IdenTrust offers an authenticated identity that is stored electronically in a digital certificate, which can be used in a wide range of applications to achieve robust security and maintain regulatory compliance.
Many healthcare customers now use IdenTrust credentials to submit electronic prescriptions for controlled substances (EPCS). IdenTrust's accreditation with the DTAAP program as a certification authority and as a registration authority is a fundamental element in enabling the exchange of electronic health information and thus offering healthcare customers an adequate level of security and the services they require.
"With the ability to issue digital certificates that are accredited by DirectTrust, IdenTrust can help HIEs facilitate the delivery of services with a high level of security," concluded Karen Wendel, President and CEO of IdenTrust. "These services also allow HIEs to demonstrate compliance with applicable regulations. IdenTrust's digital certificates are also certified by the U.S. government's Federal Bridge Certification Authority, meaning U.S. government agencies trust the health messages exchanged. We appreciate the organization and support provided by EHNAC to enable IdenTrust to achieve accreditation with the DTAAP program in a timely manner."
