CIO Guide to Security and Patient Privacy

As technology advances quickly, healthcare organizations face additional challenges in ensuring patient privacy and the security of their information. In fact, security and compliance questions are the main barriers to the fast adoption of digital technology within the healthcare industry. As hospitals move away from pagers and outdated communication devices to modern clinical collaboration tools, choosing a convenient and safe solution is critical to protect sensitive health information and prevent cyberattacks.

Patient Privacy Threats

Given the rising number of cyberattacks in recent years, it’s no surprise that many patients are reluctant to use messaging systems. With hackers working daily to breach systems, IT security must close any potential entry points as quickly as possible. Because smartphones are nearly ubiquitous, many healthcare organizations are now allowing clinicians to use their own devices for communication. However, organizations need a secure way of communicating to mitigate risks. 

Tighter Security for HIPAA Compliance

Cloud-based clinical communication and collaboration (CC&C) platforms enable care teams to securely discuss patient cases while easing the burden on IT staff. Unlike consumer messaging tools, CC&C platforms are HIPAA-compliant and built with healthcare in mind. 

While text messaging is a convenient way to collaborate on patient care, standard text messages are easily hackable and do not ensure patient privacy. One way to remain HIPAA compliant is to use a clinical communication and collaboration (CC&C) solution with credible third-party certification that requires its vendors to prove HIPAA compliance. 

Modern CC&C tools such as the TigerConnect Clinical Collaboration Platform include cutting-edge capabilities that act as extra protective measures in the case of a cyberattack.

• End-to-end encryption – information remains hidden even when messages are unread
• Self-destructing messages – eliminates all messages after a certain amount of time (even from servers)
• Message archiving – messages are securely preserved for discovery purposes in the event of possible future litigation

Each of these components provides optimum security for private patient information. This framework maintains multiple security checkpoints so that healthcare organizations and patient data remain secure.

Is Your Care Center in Need of a CC&C Solution?

Part of delivering optimum patient care is ensuring patients know that their information is secure within your healthcare organization. Download the CIO Guide to Modernizing Healthcare Communication to learn how your organization can securely and efficiently communicate sensitive patient information.