The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) have finalized a rule to enhance the exchange of health information across networks. This rule establishes the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA), which sets guidelines and standards for networks known as Qualified Health Information Networks (QHINs) to facilitate seamless and secure data sharing. The rule outlines specific requirements for becoming a QHIN, procedures for onboarding, and processes for dealing with suspensions and terminations. It also ensures that QHINs can voluntarily attest to adopting TEFCA and establishes a directory to list organizations that meet the standards for trusted health information exchange.
Simple Explanation
The Department of Health wants doctors and hospitals to share health information in a safe and easy way, like friends who trust each other to share their toys. They made some rules called TEFCA that work like a big guidebook to help different health groups play nicely together and keep everyone's health secrets safe.