Many hospitals have bought an electronic signature system for patients that is not tailored to their specific needs.
This has led to frustration and even failure. Healthcare has many challenges that are unique to the industry, such as the fact that hackers love to steal healthcare data.
Why are hospitals buying one-dimensional patient electronic signing solutions that aren't purpose-built for healthcare? They also don't meet basic security requirements.
These eSignature solutions can be considered "one-dimensional." What is the difference between a "three-dimensional" and "one-dimensional" eSignature?
What is an electronic signature system for patients that has been purposefully designed for hospitals?
These are the questions we're going direct to address in this blog.
Why do so many hospitals have "one-dimensional" patient eSignature solutions?
This question can be answered with a simple answer: COVID. Hospitals are complex, large systems that have been around for many years.
As such, there are many policies and procedures. Although these procedures and processes can sometimes be frustrating, they are necessary to ensure that the business runs smoothly.
The Paper Scanning Frustrated Doctor 1 Color Correction
Most hospitals have strong processes for new technology acquisition. They issue RFPs, evaluate at least three vendors and do reference calls.
Vendors must also answer standard IT security questionnaires. On-site presentations and reference calls are all part of the process. Bids can be received and approved by the board.
It can be exhausting for everyone involved and can consume a lot of time and resources. All of this is to ensure that the hospital makes the right decision and conducts the necessary due diligence.
That's at least what should happen under "normal" circumstances. But COVID blew that out of the water.
COVID had a profound impact on hospitals. Hospitals were faced with unprecedented challenges and had to rapidly shift and adapt to provide care to their communities.
In some cases, they even ignored certain protocols. Many hospitals use a patient eSignature system that is not tailored to their healthcare needs.
Many hospitals felt the need to use paperless registration as part of a "touch-free patient experience". This allowed for a quicker registration process and kept patients out of waiting rooms.
Hospitals did everything they could to help in an emergency situation. Many of these hospitals bought eSignature solutions meant for use in the healthcare sector. Many hospitals now have an eSignature solution that they purchased under duress but that doesn't meet their enterprise patient electronic signature capture goals.
They also find that the solutions aren't up to scratch when it comes to security requirements. These hospitals are now stuck and looking for a better way to reach their enterprise paperless goals in consents and other paper-based forms.
What is an electronic signature system for patients that has been purposefully designed for hospitals?
Many different forms are available in paper format for patients to fill out at hospitals. These forms are consent forms for various departments.
Each department has its own consents. In many cases, they require more than a signature. You'll often find check boxes and text fields as well as images that patients must draw on.
These include MRI questionnaires and POLST forms.
Too many eSignature Devices
A "one-dimensional" enterprise utility solution that can only capture a patient's signature will be a poor choice.
A hospital-specific "three-dimensional" eSignature solution will be able address all ways a patient can interact with the form across multiple devices (e.g. tablets and laptops).
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Additional 3D eSignature requirements
A 3D eSignature solution that is suitable for hospitals must not only be able to capture a patient's signature but also have two key components.
Integration of EHR
Security
Information security in hospitals
Your hospital clinicians are confined to their Epic, Cerner or MEDITECH. Applications, and asking them not to use technology or systems outside of their EHR is a barrier for adoption and usability.
It is crucial that any eSignature solution chosen by a hospital seamlessly integrates into their EHR.
PHI is the most vulnerable hospital data to hackers. This is because healthcare data is 3X more valuable than other industries.
As with all technology, it is essential that patient electronic signature solutions meet the highest security standards.
Conclusion
Hospitals have unique needs which are more challenging than any technology company can meet. Esignly is the best choice if you're looking for an electronic signature system that can be used to sign patient documents.
It's purpose-built and far more secure than any "one-dimensional" solution.