The following article discusses what is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act on hospitals and their utilization of the customer Relationship Management system.
It is essential for healthcare facilities to priorities protection of patients’ information. Similar to this, hospitals are able to focus on a patient’s health. Particularly, a patient might not wish for the details of the visit published into public records, or to be accessed by anyone else. Patients also have legal right to ensure that their data is secure secured and kept private. This increases the necessity that healthcare providers guarantee security.
This is where the HIPAA law is in the picture. HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) was passed in 1996 to ensure privacy and safety throughout the healthcare industry. HIPAA is a law that regulates devices that be used to store, share or even archive the health information of a patient such as, for instance, CRM systems.
CRM systems can be useful in all fields which requires direct contact with customers or, in the healthcare sector or patients. In healthcare facilities the benefits of CRM will only be realized in the event that the system is safe and regularly monitored to ensure compliance and security.
Why is this so important? According to an advisory issued from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, hackers often target healthcare institutions through extortion schemes by stealing information. A report was published through Check Point Software Technologies that declares a 45 percent increase in cyberattacks targeting hospitals clinics, hospitals, as well as healthcare facilities.
Based on the information above it is clear the necessity of monitoring healthcare systems in order to identify and limit the risk of cyber-attacks to a patient’s health information.
CRM for Healthcare Facilities
With information collected from patients at healthcare facilities being susceptible to cyber-attacks we must look for a CRM system that’s HIPAA compatible.
An CRM system is known as a Customer Relations Management system that regulates interactions between customers and companies. In the field in healthcare settings, CRM systems could assist healthcare facilities with managing interactions with patients, typically after they have been discharged. From scheduling follow-up appointments to managing the amount of aftercare and appointment times This can all be accomplished by using CRM.
Significant advancements have also been made to Healthcare CRM systems. They have remote monitoring and mobile capabilities that let healthcare workers log in and view the patient’s data. However, a CRM program includes different aspects of a patient’s visit, too. It can help streamline the process of billing for medical services and patient report processes. A CRM is able to assist with anything from a follow-up appointment schedule to being able to make sure that payments have been received. A CRM system is essential for many healthcare establishments that want to automatize processes and operate efficiently.
HIPAA Compliant CRM Systems
We have now established some of the factors that explain why CRM systems are used so extensively within the healthcare industry and we understand the reason the need to be HIPAA conforming. Because of the nature of the information that is handled, HIPAA guidelines must be adhered to in both the health provider as well as the chosen CRM.
What makes a CRM HIPAA secure? To be HIPAA compatible, the system must ensure that patient information remains confidential and is secure in its storage and backup. Healthcare workers must have complete control over the data stored in the system, which includes access to uploading, sharing and storage. The data must be protected by encryption and it’s recommended to make sure that the selected healthcare CRM provider is secure and has a solid network.
What should you do you look out for in a Health CRM?
Looking deeper into deeper into Healthcare specific CRM Here are some aspects to consider when choosing your CRM.
Security
Security of data is essential in the context of health-focused CRM systems as well as HIPAA compliance. The system must provide security measures that go beyond the standard username and password combination. The security of data must also be different according to the status of the user and access to specific different levels of information restricted without permission been granted. The login information, the user ID as well as any changes made should be traceable through the log. Since new CRM systems offer remote working features when used by a healthcare professional’s mobile device biometric security systems must be used to enhance the security of access to information and ensure accessibility. Numerous phones come with fingerprints and facial recognition however, this shouldn’t be the sole method used in accessing databases however, it could be an element of a two-step registration process.
It is important to remember that although cybersecurity is not the main focus of employees of the health facility the software sales agent should be able to present the benefits that CRM systems offer to users. This will allow healthcare workers to have a comprehension of the strengths and weaknesses of the system and its weaknesses. This knowledge can help healthcare facilities to make an informed choice when it comes to choosing the right CRM system. Requesting a sales rep to demonstrate the CRM system and the features offered, and then explain the security measures used can be very useful.
Accessibility for Employees
CRM systems must be able to grant access to employees according to their job and also a tier system. This means that security systems must be in place to ensure that interns, for instance won’t be in a position to gain access to the data of the hospital’s manager. If a CRM system is in place that assigns different roles and levels of information according to the specific roles in a hospital and can be used to assure the compliance. It is essential to have a system administrator in place to grant access, to ensure that employers can’t modify their roles and accessing rights to data.
Scalability
If the healthcare facility you operate in grows it is essential to ensure that the CRM you choose can be scalable and can be used by facilities of any size. Select a CRM solution that can grow as your facility expands. This will make sure that in the future, you will require an entirely completely new software for CRM. A new CRM that is required after having outgrown your old system could create a lot of problems like the delays that occur in everyday processes due to a brand-new system being put in place in addition to employees being required to use an entirely different CRM. These are unneeded issues that must be prevented by implementing the use of a CRM that is scalable.
Easy Backup of Data
In the realm of HIPAA violations, losing data is regarded as one of the most serious as the consequences could severely impact a healthcare institution. Therefore, it is essential that the system has safeguards put in place to ensure that information is not lost or misplaced. One method by which to backup data is by using a cloud-based system. It is essential to make sure that the company you select is secure and robust cloud-based system for backing up the data that is collected.
Security Protections
The speed of response for a leak as well as a data security breach could make a huge difference in limiting the leak. This is why it’s essential to have security alerts in place. If a health facility is alerted of a breach in their data or any irregularity that is occurring and employees are notified, they can conduct an investigation. Employers may then adopt corrective measures if necessary. This is vital since the information getting leaked could cause an issue for the patient as well as the healthcare organizations.
Benefits of a HIPAA Compliant CRM
In order to better comprehend what is important to be looking for in a healthcare CRM, we are able to examine the advantages the CRM system can provide.
Increase in Customer Trust
A reputation that is good for both the client and the business in every industry however, it is even more important in the field of healthcare. HIPAA compliance assures that the hospital has the right security measures in place to protect the privacy of patients’ information. This ensures that patients be confident that they’ve selected the best healthcare provider. In addition, a serious HIPAA breach could lead to an economic penalty as well as negative publicity. Healthcare organizations can take several years to rebuild the trust caused by negligence. Maintaining HIPAA compliance through an efficient CRM can prevent the chance of this happening.
Profits from Compliance are Increased
HIPAA violations are a cause for an administrative penalty by the Department of Human Health Services. There are HIPAA financial penalties starting at $100 for a tier one offense, and escalating at $50000 for tier-4 crime, like negligent or deliberate misuse of patient information. A financial penalty could affect the financial condition of the healthcare provider. In extreme instances, financial penalties can lead to closure. Being compliant will ensure that this doesn’t happen. Secure CRM systems can assist in achieving this goal by ensuring that information is safely managed and secured.
Conclusion
HIPAA compliance is vital. What happens if HIPAA infractions include fines that can range from up to $50 000 or more dependent on the severity of the offense. The healthcare industry does not would like to be in this kind of situation. With the advantages of HIPAA compliance, which creates trust between the patient and the business, identifying new ways to make sure that compliance with HIPAA is the best decision in healthcare establishments.