Direct Secure Messaging (DSM)
What is DSM?
DSM is a HIPAA-compliant, encrypted email system that has been developed by a workgroup of State and Federal entities sponsored by the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology; it is intended to facilitate sending personal health information (PHI) between HIPAA-covered entities. DSM has advantages because it encrypts both the message body and any attachments. Also, because all DSM users are validated and have been assigned a specific DSM email address you can be assured the individual on the receiving end of your message is also a HIPAA-covered entity.
What kinds of information can be communicated using DSM?
Inpriva DSM can be used as an alternative to PHI exchange that you currently do via mail or fax. It is not necessary for a recipient to have an Inpriva DSM account; they can still respond to your specific DSM email. However, they cannot originate a message without an Inpriva DSM account.
Some practical uses for State personnel…
Sending Lab results to healthcare providers
Receiving/Sending PHI during surveillance and utilization review (SUR) cases
Receiving/Sending clinical data and PHI with healthcare providers
Receiving immunization and other reporting data from healthcare providers
Other uses for DSM
Primary Care Provider referral to a specialist
Care coordination across transitions of care
Inpatient behavioral healthcare providers referral to non-inpatient healthcare providers
Next steps for State personnel
If you are a State of Alaska employee, and are interested in a DSM account, please contact the DOH ITSHelp Desk: hss.itshelp@alaska.gov to start the account creation process. Interested users that are non-DOH SOA personnel, require a DOH "sponsor" for DSM account requests.
DSM Technical Support
If you are a Department of Health (DOH) employee and need technical support for DSM, such as password resets or other technical support please email the DOH IT Help Desk at: hss.itshelp@alaska.gov. Please provide a detail request for what assistance you need with DSM, including screen shots of an error messages will greatly help.
For non-DOH employee please contact your DOH sponsor to have them submit a ticket to the DOH IT Help Desk under the sponsor’s name. All contractors are required to go through the sponsor healtheConnect.
Are there healthcare providers, or non-State of Alaska personnel, who would also be interested in DSM?
If there are non-State healthcare providers or healthcare organizations you work with whom you think would also be interested in DSM please have them go to healtheConnect Alaska and use the "Register Now" Button to start the account creation process, or email the HealtheConnect support desk at support@ak-ehealth.org you may also call (907) 770-2626 and use option 1.
Reference Documents for State of Alaska personnel