MS Health Information Security & Privacy Center

A federal initiative aims to encourage participation in electronic health information exchange technology by providing physicians with the tools they need to get connected.

The Health Information Security & Privacy Collaboration Provider Education Toolkit, launched Jan. 15 in eight pilot states, focuses on safe, private and secure health information exchange technology for providers.

The Web-based toolkit, found at www.Secure4Health.org, provides physician-to-physician advice, resource links, and answers to frequently asked questions from national health care subject-matter experts.  Information is focused on electronic health information exchange and related privacy and security implications as well as the tools and resources to help physicians get connected electronically. Physicians also can earn free continuing medical education credits while learning more about electronic health information exchange and electronic health record systems.

The initiative consists of a pilot project that runs from January to March 2009. To evaluate its impact on physicians and the medical community, the Health Information Security & Privacy Collaboration will analyze Web site traffic and the number of physicians taking advantage of free continuing medical education credits. The goal is to create an education and outreach toolkit for providers nationwide.

The Provider Education Toolkit is the result of work completed by the Health Information Security & Privacy Collaboration, a multi-year project launched in 2006 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The collaboration is comprised of 42 states and territories and addresses issues pertinent to electronic health information exchange through multi-state collaboration.