Families affected by a loved one with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) need sustained support from their healthcare providers.
Providers can use HIPAA compliant emails to give these families the resources they need for working through the challenges associated with FASD care.
What is FASD?
“Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, also known as FASD, is a term that refers to the broad range of lifelong birth defects and neurodevelopmental abnormalities that occur as a result of prenatal alcohol exposure,” explains the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Furthermore, the CDC explains that there are FASD treatment and early intervention services available,” encouraging affected families to “talk to [their] healthcare provider about specific questions concerning appropriate care, treatment, or other medical advice.”
How provider communication can help
Providers can advise affected families on how to take care of the child prenatally, how the child will develop, or how to manage cognitive and behavioral issues. However, these communications can include sensitive health information. So, providers must use a HIPAA compliant solution, like Paubox, to safeguard protected health information (PHI).
These solutions use advanced encryption, safeguarding PHI from the time the message is sent to when it is stored on the recipient's server. The patient data remains secure and confidential, so only authorized individuals can access the email contents.
Examples of how to use HIPAA compliant emails
Prenatal appointment reminders
Providers can securely send appointment reminders to pregnant mothers who are at risk of having children born with FASD. These emails can also include tips for following the healthcare plan to help reduce the chances of the unborn child developing FASD-related issues.
Educational resources
"There is no cure for FASDs, but early intervention treatment services can improve a child's development. Early intervention services help children from birth to 3 years of age (36 months) learn important skills. Services include therapy to help the child talk, walk, and interact with others,” the CDC elaborates.
HIPAA compliant emails can send curated educational content to help families understand their loved ones and better deal with challenges associated with these disorders. Specifically, providers can send resources on FASD behavioral strategies, cognitive development, and practical tips to help families improve the developmental outcomes of their children.
Local support services
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) says, “Children younger than 3 years of age who are at risk of having developmental delays may be eligible for services.”
Providers can use HIPAA compliant emails to direct families to these services, helping them find clinics, therapists, and support groups in their area.
Behavioral and learning intervention guides
HIPAA compliant emails can provide step-by-step guides to help families implement home-based behavioral strategies and learning support. These guides can help them manage emotional outbursts, improve attention spans, and reinforce positive behaviors so families can create a supportive setting for their children.
Protective factors and family support
Providers can securely send tips on creating a predictable routine and a nurturing environment, especially since "Children with FASDs can be more sensitive than other children to disruptions, changes in lifestyle or routines, and harmful relationships.”
Ultimately, “having a loving, stable home life is very important for a child with an FASD.” Regular emails can give families the support they need to “help prevent secondary conditions, such as criminal behavior, unemployment, and incomplete education.”
Read also: Using HIPAA compliant emails to overcome mental health stigma
FAQs
What types of information are protected under HIPAA?
HIPAA protects all individually identifiable health information held or transmitted by covered entities or their business associates, including mental health records.
Can providers use regular email services like Gmail to communicate with patients?
No, regular email services like Gmail do not safeguard patients’ protected health information (PHI). Instead, providers must use a HIPAA compliant platform, like Paubox, which uses encryption and other security features to protect PHI.
Can providers send include attachments in a HIPAA compliant email?
Yes, HIPAA compliant emailing platforms, like Paubox, automatically encrypt attachments, protecting attachments during email transmission and at rest.
