TNAP Collaborative Survey Finds Concern Over Privacy and Security Key Barrier to Interoperability

The Trusted Network Accreditation Program (TNAP) collaborative, developed to promote interoperability by assuring the security and privacy of trusted networks, announced the results of a healthcare industry stakeholder survey.The feedback generated from the survey will help guide the development of a transparent, inclusive and open process as the collaborative continues to develop a program that aligns with TEFCA draft provisions recently released by the federal government.

“Overwhelmingly, survey respondents indicated that improving the electronic movement of health information will improve patient care,” stated Lee Barrett, Executive Director and CEO of EHNAC, one of the organizations that leads the initiative. “However, the vast majority of potential network participants signaled that if privacy and security concerns are not addressed, interoperability may not be achieved.”

Significant findings from the survey include:

  • 95 percent of respondents agree or strongly agree that improving the ability of the healthcare system to electronically share patient data will lead to a more effective and efficient care delivery system.
  • 84 percent of respondents agree or strongly agree that privacy and security certification/accreditation is a viable method to assure trust between Health Information Network participants.
  • 81 percent of respondents agree or strongly agree that one of the barriers to interoperability in healthcare has been concern from potential network participants for the privacy and security of patient data after it leaves their organization.
  • 62 percent of respondents agree or strongly agree that one of the barriers to provider support of more widespread data exchange has been the perceived inconsistent level of privacy and security with other data exchange participants.

“It is vital that key healthcare industry stakeholders collaborate and place a dedicated focus on improving the current state of interoperability,” added Barrett. “The findings of this survey indicate that the healthcare industry sees tremendous value in privacy and security accreditation, as well as the necessity to improve the exchange of secure electronic information to facilitate improved patient care.”

About TNAP
The Trusted Network Accreditation Program (TNAP) was developed to directly align with the development of the 21st Century Cures Act required Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA). TNAP seeks to promote interoperability by assuring the security and privacy of trusted networks and the use of enabling technologies in the healthcare ecosystem. The program provides third-party review with accreditation for Trusted Exchange participants, addressing existing security and privacy compliance mandates, and rights management, as well as compliance with new TEFCA regulatory requirements.