In part two of our TEFCA Readiness series, we explore why TEFCA’s new requirements might make you worry, and how you can ensure you are prepared for TEFCA moving forward. If you haven’t already, be sure to read part one of this series to get caught up on the current state of TEFCA and our opinions on the future state of nationwide healthcare exchange.
If TEFCA is modeled after existing networks – why should I worry?
It’s easy to be lulled into the thinking that it’s ok – we are already supporting nationwide data exchange. There is nothing for us to be concerned about.
That is an incorrect assumption.
The ONC wants to address some of the current issues with nationwide data exchange and is changing some of the technical requirements as a result.
Examples of notable new technical requirements under TEFCA
Based on eHEX’s recent published TEFCA Readiness Checklist, here are a few examples of technical requirements that are not being used broadly in nationwide data exchange today, but are likely to be required for TEFCA based exchange:
- Adhere to USCDI v1 data specifications, including known historical addresses
- Adhere to the Project@US specifications for patient addresses
- Include detailed metadata in the message headers, including data such as: Sub-participant related data for better visibility as to who is making the request
- Initiating Gateways will need to support receiving Patient Discovery Aggregated Responses. This is the ability for the Query Initiator to be able to receive and process multiple patient matches for a given patient request.
- Support the Concise CCDA Format. Designed to address issues such as overly large CCDAs, absence of clinical notes, support for encounter summary documents, and the need for document version management
Actions you can take to be TEFCA ready
Check Candidate QHIN websites regularly to look for published guidance. We have found eHEX’s TEFCA web page to be one of the best. Any QHIN’s published resources and guides will be very valuable to understand what changes you may need to make in your organization to be TEFCA ready.
Zen is also happy to be a resource for you. For Zen clients – you can rest assured that the Stargate IHE Gateway will be TEFCA ready!
Zen TEFCA resources:
Marilee’s Interoperability Office Hours
Attend our President’s Interoperability Office Hours which are held each Friday from 2 to 3pm Central. Check out Marilee’s Office Hours Collaboration Room to get the Zoom Meeting Link and see what Hot Topics are coming up.
Schedule a Free-15 if you have an urgent question of a more technical nature.
Other TEFCA Readiness Resources Zen recommends:
eHealth Exchange TEFCA Resources
Excellent detailed spreadsheet available for download – look for the “TEFCA Requirements Checklist” in the middle of the page under TEFCA Checklist Header.
The Sequoia Project (Current Recognized Coordinating Entity – RCE) Resources
Get information directly from the source by visiting the RCE’s website. A lot of great information here, from very basic to fairly complex. Here are a few that we highly recommend:
RCE – Summary of Flow Down Provisions
This directly pertains to those aspects of the Common Agreement under TEFCA that flow directly down to all participants in a QHIN
RCE – Standard Operating Procedures (“SOPs”)
The SOPs define “how” data exchange under TEFCA will be done. Look for this section and then click on the + to view the details.
RCE – SOP: Exchange Purposes
An excellent detailed guide outlining the 6 TEFCA exchange use cases (Treatment, Payment, Health Care Operations, Public Health, Government Benefits Determination and Individual Access Services). This document provides details on what is mandatory and what is optional at a participant or sub-participant level. All QHINs must be capable of supporting all six exchange purposes.
Commonwell Alliance – Concise Consolidated CDA Information
A document created by the Carequality and Commonwell Alliance Content Work Groups to address common issues seen with scaling CCDA based data exchange and providing key recommendations.
The QHINs are Coming – Let’s be Ready Together!
Whether you remain skeptical, or you are all in, it’s time to position yourself and your organization for long term success with nationwide healthcare data exchange, whether via TEFCA, your local HIE, or the existing national networks such as Carequality or eHealth Exchange.
Zen Healthcare IT is committed to helping make sure every healthcare organization has easier access to the QHIN of their choice. Subscribe to our newsletter to be sure you stay connected with Zen’s TEFCA related news and resources.
