Many of the daily tasks we do online or remotely are increasing in number. Many daily tasks, such as reading the news, shopping for groceries, or even visiting the doctor, are becoming increasingly digital.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of telehealth visits increased by 4000% in April 2020. Many healthcare providers were faced with the daunting task of offering care online after the pandemic.
HIPAA compliance and protecting protected health information (PHI), required new processes, which presented new challenges that were not common to healthcare providers.
It was no longer possible for providers to simply give a patient a paper clipboard and a pen. So how can healthcare providers get signatures on privacy notices or other paperwork in a secure, compliant, and convenient way? Electronic signature software is the answer.
This conundrum can be solved with electronic signature software.
This software not only allows for the provisioning of care without having to interact with patients face-to-face but also offers a host of benefits for healthcare practitioners.
It doesn't really matter if you visit patients in person or online. The use of electronic signature software can streamline workflows and transform operations.
We'll be looking at electronic signature software in detail and how it helps small healthcare providers seamlessly communicate with patients and fulfill their day-to-day needs.
How can you use electronic signatures in healthcare?
Electronic signatures are a vital tool for hospitals, clinics, insurance companies, doctors' offices, and other healthcare providers of all sizes.
Electronic signatures make it easy for healthcare professionals to communicate remotely with patients. They also simplify and streamline many of the important daily processes.
The HITECH Act was introduced by the Obama administration in 2009. This law encouraged healthcare providers to adopt electronic health records (EHRs).
It was intended to increase patient record security and simplify monitoring HIPAA compliance.
Only 10% of hospitals used EHRs when the HITECH Act became law. Nine years later, 86% office-based doctors had made the switch from paper to electronic records.
It is an easy step to adopt electronic signatures, as so many health records are stored electronically.You can sign some common forms of healthcare using an electronic signature, such as:
- Intake forms and admission forms for patients
- Notification of Privacy Policy
- Releases and consent forms for patients
- Chart notes and patient medical files
- Approval of procedures
- Prescriptions
- Processing of Claims
- Staff onboarding documents
Healthcare forms can be electronically signed and integrated into an EHR. This allows healthcare professionals to provide better care and ensure compliance.
Below, we'll be looking at the many benefits of electronic signatures for small healthcare practices.
E-Signature Software is a great option for small healthcare practices
Electronic signatures are naturally compatible with electronic health records requirements within the healthcare community.
There are many reasons to consider electronic signature software for healthcare practices. These are the top benefits for small- and independent healthcare practices.
Accuracy and Completion
You can set the configurations to require certain fields to be filled out when creating digital documents for electronic signature.
All fields that require signatures must be filled out before documents can be created.
You will no longer find out if a patient forgot to sign the last page or left a critical field blank.
Efficiency increases
The efficiency of paperwork completion can be dramatically improved by using electronic signatures. Electronic signatures can be easily saved to your patient file and can be used to scan documents signed by hand.
The entire process can also be automated if the electronic signature software is compatible with the medical software.
Many e-signature software solutions can automate filing. They can send signed documents to the correct location and automatically sign them.
The introduction of e-signatures dramatically improves the workflow.
Reduction in Wait Time
Many of the delays in healthcare settings are due to paperwork that needs to be filled out and waiting to receive it.
You can share important documents, prescriptions, and medical records in just a few clicks with e-signature software.
Electronic signatures allow patients to fill out intake paperwork online before they arrive at the office. Telehealth appointments can also be made easily.
Physicians can send prescriptions directly to the pharmacy and EHRs can be filed in just a few clicks.
Sign from anywhere
With the rise in telehealth visits, electronic signature software makes it possible to sign securely from anywhere.
Electronic signature software allows for quick and easy return of signed documents to the sender. This makes it possible for healthcare professionals to collaborate quickly on patient care with colleagues.
Secure and legally binding
In 2000, the Electronic Signature in Global and National Commerce Act(ESIGN Act) was passed. Electronic signatures have the same legal status that pen and ink signatures since their passage.
When documents are signed electronically, they can be legally binding if they satisfy certain conditions.
- The signing must be done with clear intent
- Electronic business must be consented to
- It is essential to keep a clear record of signature associations
- An audit trail should show clear evidence of signature attribution
- It must be easy to retain documents or produce them as required.
Electronic signatures are an important part of healthcare industry security.
Patients share sensitive and confidential information, so it is important to have the right security protocols in place. E-signature products have the ability to use encryption, signing certificates, and audit trails, among other methods, to protect all documents signed via their platform.
Security is at the heart of everything that eSignly does. You can be confident that the signed documents of your patients are protected and confidential, thanks to SOC 2 Type 2 compliance, dynamic encryption, useful visibility controls, audit trails and many other features.
Have a look.
Reduce clutter and go paperless
Converting records to electronic records gives your practice the option of going paperless.Your records, whether they are personnel or PHI, can all be stored electronically.
Signatures are used to facilitate a smooth workflow. Electronic records make it simpler to manage in the event that there is a HIPAA audit. They also simplify organization and make it easier to get work done.
The paperless process not only reduces clutter but also lowers costs. Digital documents will save you money on printing, scanning, scanning, and storing paper documents.
How can you continue to secure PHI and remain HIPAA compliant?
HIPAA (or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) was signed into law for the first time in 1996.
HIPAA generally protects patient privacy. HIPAA prohibits the sharing of patient's personal information without their consent. Any sharing must also be done in accordance with all rules and guidelines.
The HIPAA Security Rule is particularly noteworthy. This rule imposes specific requirements for electronic protected health information storage.
These requirements ensure that electronic protected health information is as secure as paper files.
E-signatures must comply with HIPAA's guidelines to be legal. These guidelines also provide additional guidance on electronic signatures.
They provide additional guidelines on electronic signatures, including the authentication and security requirements for legitimate e-signature.
eSignly is HIPAA-certified and compliant with ESIGN.
Learn more about our compliance efforts and how to use them to improve compliance at every stage.
Secure & Reliable eSignature Tools For Your Business - Try It Now
Get your Healthcare Practice to the Next Level!
This is your chance to elevate your healthcare practice. One of the best ways to do so is to adopt HIPAA-compliant, esignature software.
There are many things to consider when collecting HIPAA-compliant signatures and protecting your PHI. It is important that you partner with the right electronic signature solution.
eSignly electronic signature software can:
- IntegrateAny medical practice software that you use
- MinimizeIt makes it easy to get started with the many options and interfaces that make it simple.
- Protect your PHISOC 2 Type 2 Compliance to dynamic encryption, helpful transparency controls, audit trails, and more
- We can help you maintain and meet compliance efforts with HIPAA, ESIGN, and UETA
- Enhance the patient experienceWith faster and more efficient documentation completion
- streamline your digital paperwork process is made easier by allowing you to sign and send in just seconds
