Every healthcare facility must prioritize the security of patient data. When doing so, each organization is required to comply with all Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations and standards. Electronic health records are becoming the norm in the industry, and healthcare organizations everywhere are adopting new technology. Doing so leaves sensitive health information at risk.
Medical professionals must be able to communicate, and one way they do so is through electronic means. They must safeguard the information whether they are speaking on a phone, sending an email, texting, or faxing documents. To ensure compliance with all regulations, healthcare organizations must utilize a HIPAA-ready cloud fax platform.
What Might Cloud-Based Fax Services Be Used for in Healthcare?
Medical professionals may fax numerous documents. They often transmit patient records to other professionals and send prescriptions electronically. Lab results may be shared with patients and other medical professionals digitally. Personal health information (PHI) refers to any identifiable health information that belongs to a patient. When PHI is shared electronically, it must be safeguarded. The organization must use access controls, encryption, audit trails, and other measures to ensure it is.
Why Use Cloud-Based Fax Services?
Many medical professionals are familiar with conventional fax machines. They don’t want to switch to cloud-based services because they prefer not to learn another new technology, given their existing responsibilities with electronic health records, patient portals, and other required services. However, once they realize how cloud-based fax services simplify their tasks, they wonder why they didn’t switch sooner.
HIPAA-compliant cloud-based fax services allow for secure document transmission. These services use encryption and security protocols to ensure personal health information remains protected at all times. Data breaches are a constant concern, so these services regularly update their security measures to address emerging threats.
These services recognize that complying with HIPAA is not optional. Every healthcare entity must comply, and these providers ensure their services meet the stringent requirements established by the federal government. In addition to encryption and access controls, the fax providers must securely store any documents transmitted using their service.
Using cloud-based fax services streamlines the process. Healthcare professionals can send and receive documents from their preferred device. They don’t need to find a physical fax machine, paper, toner, or other supplies. The documents can be sent and received through their email or the provider’s app. All documents are stored electronically, so they don’t even need paper and ink.
Why Cloud-Faxing for Healthcare Entities?
Medical professionals often need to share documents rapidly. A patient’s life may depend on receiving information promptly. Cloud-based fax services make it easy to share paperwork securely and efficiently.
Choosing a Cloud-Based Fax Service
When selecting a cloud-based fax service, healthcare organizations must carefully evaluate each provider. They need one that has robust encryption and security measures in place and complies with all HIPAA rules and regulations. The service must be user-friendly, as medical professionals are already overburdened and at high risk of burnout. They don’t want to learn a new program when they already have a tried-and-true method for faxing documents. The service must also have a reliable customer service team that can be contacted when problems arise, allowing them to be handled promptly.
Healthcare organizations can never be too careful when it comes to personal health information. Allowing this information to fall into the wrong hands can be costly for the organization. A cloud-based fax services that offer HIPAA-compliant solutions is the ideal partner for these organizations. They benefit from modern technology while knowing everything is being done to safeguard sensitive data.
