Telehealth is more than an IT buzzword. It makes life easier and provides care more simply than ever before for clinical professionals.
This short article outlines a plan for patient care with tools like remote access software.
If you’re a physician, chances are you’re well versed in the potential of telehealth — nearly two-thirds of you offer at least secure messaging, with 41% offering patients the chance to download their electronic health records (EHRs) too.
It’s a great way to share information with your patients and keep it up-to-date. But going beyond a basic level of e-service involves a lot of costs and data security risks — doesn’t it?
No, it doesn’t. In fact, the right software choices can CUT administrative overhead rather than increase it — all while offering a higher level of care to your patients.
Not just exchanging messages and data, but delivering therapy and follow-up sessions remotely, with essential data captured automatically all in full compliance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) rules.
Let’s look at some use cases your practice could emulate.
Unlocking The Key To Personal Health Information Security
There are two sides to the HIPAA: privacy of patient data, and security of access.
With breaches spiking by 63% last year, security is an obvious concern to physicians.
The solution? Choose technology that has security at its core so every time you use it, you’re protected by HIPAA-certified technology.
With TeamViewer, that includes very strong data encryption whenever two devices connect to each other, and equally reliable authentication.
Both a user and the device they use must be on the whitelist in order to connect. Finally, easy-to-set policies allow different levels of access to the EHR, from straightforward viewing to full editing.
In practice, this means you can let a patient update his or her address details or appointment schedules, without being able to do the same with test results or your notes.
The security of PHI is paramount — and TeamViewer makes you compliant by default.
How much easier would that make your professional life?
Getting A Fix On Accurate Data
Much EHR patient access is limited to viewing and downloading — and there’s the rub: downloading data creates an additional copy of it. Which can be changed independently, impossible to access — or worse — available for everyone to access.
Your patient is a partner in their healthcare provision — so make reliable data the cornerstone of your relationship by inviting them to keep their own records in shape.
TeamViewer, as a remote access solution, isn’t about downloading: a patient visits the data on your server.
When he/she makes changes, they’re updating your version of the truth. And, of course, they’re doing it securely.
TeamViewer is a free download for today’s major form factors and operating systems.
That means that whether your patient has an ancient PC or a tablet, they can access the records you want them to and keep them accurate.
How many hours would that save your office each week?
Personalized Care, Remotely
Remote access isn’t just about viewing data; it’s about communicating and collaborating, too.
An increasing number of physicians are finding it not only possible, but preferable to see patients remotely — hold consultations, discuss symptoms and test results and even deliver treatment such as physiotherapy.
When the patient can receive equivalent care without having to travel, the patient wins — saving time and costs.
When it happens securely and with the data recorded, the physician wins — able to gather information and offer diagnoses faster.
And when it takes less trouble for both parties — both win.
How many extra patients would that let you fit into your billable hours?
Key Takeaways
- Using HIPAA-certified software takes away security compliance pains.
- Giving patients control over their data leads to greater accuracy and visibility.
- Solutions like TeamViewer can be used by any patient on any device.
- Delivering telehealth with remote access lets you fit more patients into each day.
- Leading the way in EHR security will attract more patients to your practice.
With HIPAA-certified tools like TeamViewer, remote access doesn’t mean insecure access, but better access.
Telehealth is a lot more than making patient health records available online; it’s a whole new way of delivering healthcare that can link together disperse hospitals and other facilities to present a seamless experience to the patient.
All of which saves you time and paperwork.
If you’re a practicing physician looking for smart ways to improve your practice, why not take a look at TeamViewer?
