HIPAA Secure Messaging: What You Need to Know
HIPAA Secure Messaging
Healthcare organizations have made significant advances in the use of technology to improve patient care.
Now, many healthcare providers are turning to technology to improve workplace processes. Using HIPAA secure messaging platforms, healthcare providers are implementing robust and easy-to-use messaging solutions to upgrade internal communications.
But the process of adopting a secure messaging platform isn't a simple matter for healthcare organizations. HIPAA legislation mandates a specific set of requirements for electronic communications across the healthcare industry--safeguards designed to ensure the security and integrity of patient information.
4 Characteristics of a HIPAA Secure Messaging Solution
Healthcare messaging technology doesn't have to be complicated, but it needs to be secure. A simple messaging solution can be ideal for hospitals and healthcare providers that need to leverage messaging for streamlined communication and collaboration.
But with secure messaging a top-of-mind concern in healthcare, there are at least four characteristics that a strong HIPAA secure messaging platform should have:
- Secure Encryption: Security measures should enable the safe transmission of electronic protected health information (ePHI) on corporate-owned and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) mobile devices. Look for a system with industry-standard 256-bit encryption. In addition, each message should be secured with a unique encryption key to ensure that patients' data remains private.
- Centralized Storage: The storage of messages and data is also a concern in healthcare. HIPAA requirements outline the need for a secure storage center for messages. Secure cloud-based storage facilitates compliance with data retention policies by providing centralized storage management capabilities.
- Message Delivery Notifications: It's important for healthcare team members to know that communications containing ePHI have reached their intended recipients. Advanced HIPAA messaging solutions should provide notifications of successful message delivery, confirming their message was delivered to the intended recipient. The system should also deliver messages as SMS texts when Wi-Fi or cellular data are unavailable.
- Account Management and Controls: A HIPAA secure messaging system will grant IT and account administrators the ability to record and monitor all transmission containing ePHI. For a messaging solution, this includes being able to archive messages, remotely wipe conversations and remove inactive accounts. In some instances, healthcare providers can share information with patients or other authorized parties by providing temporary guest access and controlling the lifespan of the messages shared externally.
When HIPAA secure messaging requirements are properly implemented, healthcare organizations can experience streamlined communications, resulting in improved employee communication and collaboration, more efficient processes and increased patient satisfaction.
NetSfere: Your HIPAA Secure Messaging Solution
As an industry leader in enterprise internal communications, NetSfere provides HIPAA secure messaging solutions for hospitals, doctor's offices and insurance companies. Our forward-thinking approach allows team members to communicate ePHI in a secure fashion through a user-friendly mobile messaging platform.
To learn more about HIPAA secure messaging contact NetSfere or sign up for a free trial today.
