Hospital employees must use a HIPAA compliant texting solution to improve their workflow and prevent potential data breaches.
What is HIPAA compliant texting?
HIPAA compliant text messaging refers to secure messaging platforms that adhere to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). These platforms use advanced security measures like encryption and access controls to safeguard protected health information (PHI) during transit and rest.
Unlike standard text messages, these platforms prevent unauthorized access, mitigating the risk of potential data breaches that can result in costly penalties and fines.
How secure texts improve in-hospital communication
Better communication
HIPAA compliant texting is better than traditional calls, providing immediate, two-way communication for faster decision-making.
Participants in a study on smarter hospital communication say they prefer secure text messaging because it allows “special characters, like slashes and ampersands” and has “immediate response capabilities” that enhance the “clarity and efficiency of communication.”
Improved workflow integration
Many providers face the potential time burden of secure messaging due to a lack of existing workflows to support electronic communication in their practices. However, HIPAA compliant platforms, like Paubox, can easily be integrated into hospital workflows, improving efficiency.
The previous study also supports that HIPAA compliant text messaging rates “higher than paging in terms of workflow integration during rounds and patient discharge,” making it easier to keep up with the fast-paced environment.
Patient transfers
HIPAA compliant texting allows healthcare teams to communicate across locations and disciplines while safeguarding patient privacy.
For example, an intensive care unit (ICU) team could securely text the emergency department about a patient’s response to initial treatment. The emergency department can then respond in real-time, improving collaboration and quality of care.
Emergency situations
Hospitals must use HIPAA compliant text messaging to relay urgent information to in-hospital patients. Providers can send real-time evacuation instructions in emergency situations.
More specifically, these texts can include directions to safe assembly points and guide patients to nearby healthcare facilities where they can receive urgent medical attention.
Read also: Best practices for patient communication with Paubox texting
FAQs
Can HIPAA compliant texts include images or attachments?
Yes, Paubox texting automatically encrypts images and attachments, protecting PHI during transmission and at rest.
Go deeper: Are multimedia messages HIPAA compliant?
Can providers use personal phones for HIPAA compliant texting?
Using a personal phone can be risky unless providers use a HIPAA compliant texting solution. Paubox ensures that all text communications are encrypted and HIPAA compliant, making it safe to send patient information.
What are the penalties for HIPAA violations?
Providers can face fines ranging from $100 to $50,000 per violation for civil penalties, and criminal penalties may include fines up to $250,000 and imprisonment for up to 10 years. Additionally, breaches can lead to legal action and reputational damage.
