The Hawaii Health Information Exchange, a nonprofit organization that aims to connect Hawaii’s medical providers through electronic health rec­ords, launched a secure direct messaging and patient referral system Thursday in a first step to link the health care industry.

The service allows providers to send and receive direct messages and patient referrals including lab results and prog­ress notes on a secure network that will soon connect patient records electronically.

The Hawaii Health Information Exchange was established in 2006 by health care providers, consumers and insurers. It was designated by the state in September 2009 as the organization charged with developing and implementing a statewide health information exchange that will ultimately feed into the national health information network.

The exchange will make it possible for doctors, hospitals, laboratories, health plans and pharmacies statewide to share lab results, radiology reports and discharge summaries to reduce duplicate diagnostic procedures and medical errors.

Twelve physician practices are using the messaging and referral system, which is compliant with federal privacy laws to protect private patient information.

"This is a critical step in our efforts to help transform health care delivery in Hawaii," Christine Sakuda, the organization’s executive director, said in a statement. "The electronic exchange of patient information between providers can significantly reduce errors, decrease duplicative procedures, and increase efficiency, which will ultimately result in better care for patients."

The system is available to physicians with or without electronic records. Physicians can register for the service at hawaii­hie.medicity.net.