Potential Use Cases
- Primary care provider sends referral and care summary to specialist.
- Primary care provider sends referral and care summary to hospital.
- Specialist sends care summary information back to referring provider.
- Hospital sends discharge information to referring provider.
- Hospital emergency department sends care summary to primary care provider.
- Pharmacist sends medication therapy management consult to primary care provider.
- Hospital discharge planner sends referral and care summary to rehabilitation, skilled nursing, home health, hospice, dialysis facility, etc.
- A patient navigator or disease manager communicates among care providers.
- Mental Health sends care summary to primary care physician.
- Public Health sends communications within the organization to coordinate follow up.
- Insurance benefits manager sends prior authorizations for procedures or prescription drugs to primary care physician office manager.
Portions are adapted from the Nationwide Information Network DIRECT Overview, May 19, 2012.