Direct Trusted Agent accreditation evaluates adherence to data processing standards and compliance with security infrastructure, integrity and trusted identity requirements

KANSAS CITY, Mo., April 3, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cerner, a U.S. leader in health care technology, announced today it has achieved full accreditation with the Direct Trusted Agent Accreditation Program (DTAAP) for its Health Information Service Provider (HISP) from DirectTrust and the Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission (EHNAC). Direct Trusted Agent accreditation recognizes excellence in health data processing and transactions, and evaluates compliance with industry-established standards, HIPAA regulations and the Direct Project.

"Endorsed by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), the Direct Trusted Agent Accreditation Program ensures that organizations like Cerner establish and uphold a superior level of trust for their stakeholders," said Lee Barrett, executive director of EHNAC. "The need in the marketplace for guidance and accountability in health information exchange is undeniable, and we applaud Cerner's commitment to the high standards in privacy, security and confidentiality."

Through the consultative review process, EHNAC evaluated Cerner in areas of privacy, security and confidentiality; technical performance; business practices and organizational resources as it relates to Directed exchange participants. In addition, EHNAC reviewed the organization's process of managing and transferring protected health information and determined that the organization meets or exceeds all EHNAC criteria and industry standards. Through completion of the rigorous accreditation process, the organization demonstrates to its constituents, adherence to strict standards and participation in the comprehensive, objective evaluation of its business.

"Cerner was the first in the industry to be awarded DTAAP accreditation," said Andy Heeren, Cerner Director of Network IP. "Through our re-accreditation efforts, we continue to demonstrate our leadership and dedication to broad interoperability, and the reliability our clients have come to expect from Cerner in using Directed exchange as a safe, scalable network for their communication needs now and in the future."

More than 1,000 organizations have used Cerner's services to enable more than 300,000 Direct addresses.

About Cerner

Cerner's health information technologies connect people, information and systems at more than 18,000 facilities worldwide. Recognized for innovation, Cerner solutions assist clinicians in making care decisions and enable organizations to manage the health of populations. The company also offers an integrated clinical and financial system to help health care organizations manage revenue, as well as a wide range of services to support clients' clinical, financial and operational needs. Cerner's mission is to contribute to the improvement of health care delivery and the health of communities. On February 2, 2015, Cerner Corporation acquired substantially all of the assets, and assumed certain liabilities, of the Siemens Health Services business from Siemens AG. Nasdaq: CERN. For more information about Cerner, visit cerner.com, read our blog at cerner.com/blog, connect with us on Twitter at twitter.com/cerner and on Facebook at facebook.com/cerner.

Certain trademarks, service marks and logos set forth herein are property of Cerner Corporation and/or its subsidiaries. All other non-Cerner marks are the property of their respective owners.

About DirectTrust.org

DirectTrust.org is a non-profit, competitively neutral, self-regulatory entity created by and for participants in the Direct community, including HISPs, CAs and RAs, doctors, patients, and vendors, and supports both provider-to-provider as well as patient-to-provider Direct exchange. The goal of DirectTrust.org is to develop, promote and, as necessary, help enforce the rules and best practices necessary to maintain security and trust within the Direct community, consistent with the HITECH Act and the governance rules for the NwHIN established by ONC.

DirectTrust.org is committed to fostering widespread public confidence in the Direct exchange of health information. To learn more, visit www.directtrust.org.

About EHNAC

The Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission (EHNAC) is a voluntary, self-governing standards development organization (SDO) established to develop standard criteria and accredit organizations that electronically exchange healthcare data. These entities include accountable care organizations, electronic health networks, EPCS vendors, eprescribing solution providers, financial services firms, health information exchanges, health information service providers, management service organizations, medical billers, outsourced service providers, payers, practice management system vendors and third-party administrators.

EHNAC was founded in 1993 and is a tax-exempt 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization. Guided by peer evaluation, the EHNAC accreditation process promotes quality service, innovation, cooperation and open competition in healthcare. To learn more, visit www.ehnac.org, contact info@ehnac.org, or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

CONTACT: Cerner Media Contact
         Victoria Guerra
         Victoria.guerra@cerner.com, 816-724-7218

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