Secure Healthcare Messaging Solution
New offer makes it easier for healthcare professionals to share information in a secure environment.
By: Katie Wike | December 12, 2013 (Featured on Health IT Outcomes)
A recent survey by TigerConnect Clinical Collaboration Platform – Standard found more than half of healthcare providers admitted that they discuss confidential information on a mobile device, and 61 percent hope that secure texting will improve security.
An announcement that “Sprint will offer TigerConnect Clinical Collaboration Platform – Standard’s secure-messaging platform as well as a basic TeleMessage offering to allow doctors and clinicians to send HIPAA-compliant texts” is a step toward satisfying that desire.
The two companies have created a platform that provides privacy for patient-related information and also delivery confirmation so that providers can be sure their messages have been received. “Sprint has a history and extensive experience within the healthcare industry,” said Julee Thompson-chief healthcare executive, Sprint. “We are excited about collaborating with TigerConnect Clinical Collaboration Platform – Standard and AirWatch to help healthcare professionals keep patient records more secure.
“Hospital IT managers are working hard to identify and implement solutions. Our goal is to provide the wireless communication infrastructure, to assure mission-critical and standard-based elements are in place so that healthcare providers can focus on service delivery.”
Healthcare professionals have to adapt constantly to keep up with new technology and find the best way to communicate with their patients. As Healthcare Technology Online reported, text messages are a great way to keep contact with patients after they leave the office, but there are many concerns about their security. For instance, texts can be sent to the wrong person even if it’s to the right number and there is no way to know who is reading the information.
“You are transacting personal health information in a secure environment end to end. The key is ensuring HIPAA compliance. HIPAA is about protecting health record information, so that’s why it’s not appropriate for people to use unsecured means to text about a patient. Nurses are bringing it forward in their day-to-day practice,” Thompson said, adding that the HIPAA-compliant messaging platforms will provide them with additional “confidence” that the texts are being sent in a secure environment.
* TigerConnect’s TigerText Essentials®, TigerFlow®, TigerFlow+ Plus®, TigerSchedule®, TigerTouch® and TigerTouch+ Plus® products are now called TigerConnect Clinical Collaboration Platform (Standard, Pro & Advanced), Physician Scheduling, and Patient Engagement. Please contact us for more information.
