Using Direct Messaging in EHR 24/7

If you need to send secure health information electronically through EHR 24/7, Office Ally offers Direct Messaging through Updox integration.  

Updox, Office Ally’s Direct partner is a certified HISP (Health Information Service Provider), connecting more than 250,000 providers and over 70 EHR partners across both ambulatory and acute care settings. This trusted network allows Office Ally users to securely communicate with a wide range of healthcare entities.  
Follow the steps below to access, send, and manage Direct Messages after you have enabled Updox for your account.

Before We Begin

Secure Direct Messaging through EHR 24/7 is a paid service – for information on cost, please see our Product Pricing page. Direct Messaging must be enabled for your user account before you can send or receive messages.

How to Use Direct Messaging

1. Access Your Direct Inbox

• Log in to EHR 24/7.

• Navigate to the Desktop tab.

• Under the Messages section, locate the Direct Messages panel

• Click the Inbox folder under the Direct header to view any new messages.

2. Create a New Direct Message

• From the Desktop tab, hover over Compose New, then select Direct Message.

• A Compose New Message window will open with your Direct Email already populated.

• Enter the recipient’s Direct Email Address in the Message To field.

• Click Attach File if you need to include attachments.

• Add any message content, then click Send.

3. Search for a Recipient’s Direct Address

If you do not know the recipient’s Direct Email address:

• Click the Search button to look up the provider in the public Direct directory.
  Note: The recipient must be listed in the public directory, or the search will return no results.

• If you would like to be accessible to others through the public directory, you can adjust this setting here:
  EHR > Manage Office > User Preferences > Direct Service > Edit Settings > Public Directory tab.

You can also:

• Click the + button to add the contact to your Company Contacts/User Contact List for quick future access.

• Add new contacts directly from:

• Any Compose New Message screen

• Manage Office > User Contact List

4. Send a Direct Message from a Referral Order

You can also transmit Direct Messages directly from referral orders.

• Open the referral order from within the Progress Note or go to:
  Document Center tab > Orders.

• Click Transmit.

• A Compose New Direct Message window will appear with the referral order automatically attached as an XML file.

Important:  
Be sure to click Update to save the referral order before clicking Transmit, or the patient information will not be included.

• After sending, a confirmation message will appear.

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