HIPAA Regulations Force Medical Practices to Reconsider Email and Web Communications
The latest updates to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) call for health care providers to adopt secure communication practices to protect Patient Identifiable Data. While not specific as to which technologies should be used, HIPAA does require physicians and health care providers to examine their use of email and online communication and take appropriate measures to ensure that private information is not compromised. Until recently, this meant implementing an expensive secure server or Virtual Private Network (VPN) solutions, or avoiding the use of email and online communication altogether. Recent software developments and innovations, however, have put HIPAA-compliant email and web solutions within reach of the small health-care provider and physician practice.
Hagerstown, MD (PRWEB) March 5, 2005 -- The latest updates to the Health
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) call for health care
providers to adopt secure communication practices to protect Patient
Identifiable Data. While not specific as to which technologies should be used,
HIPAA does require physicians and health care providers to examine their use of
email and online communication and take appropriate measures to ensure that
private information is not compromised. Until recently, this meant implementing
an expensive secure server or Virtual Private Network (VPN) solutions, or
avoiding the use of email and online communication altogether. Recent software
developments and innovations, however, have put HIPAA-compliant email and web
solutions within reach of the small health-care provider and physician
practice.
DatAchieve Digital is introducing ArticSoft’s FormsAssurity
product to its suite of medical web development solutions. Unlike earlier
security solutions, FormsAssurity encrypts both web-based email and web inquiry
forms on the user’s desktop level, before any information is ever sent over the
Internet or stored on a server. “We’re excited about the possibilities this
offers both physicians and patients,“ said David Layton, Director of Business
Operations for DatAchieve. “Many small practices have their hands tied when it
comes to using email to communicate with patients or staff, and it can be
frustrating for a patient to be unable to request a prescription refill or
schedule an appointment from their family doctor‘s web site.” “FormsAssurity
will enable us to offer that convenience to both patients and
physicians.”
DatAchieve Digital is a Maryland-based new media development
company, offering affordable web solutions to medical practices, health-care
providers, and small businesses. To learn more, visit online at http://www.datachieve.com or
phone toll-free at 800-706-1191.
DatAchieve Digital is a Revved
Enterprises LLC company.
Contact Information:
Norma
Kolson
DatAchieve Digital
301-791-2622
301-791-5232 Fax
800-706-1191
Toll-free
http://www.datachieve.com
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/3/prweb214711.htm