With HIPAA complaints rising, up 25% according to a recent census, the government is under pressure to step up protections and enforcement. In light of increasing cybersecurity threats and reproductive health information concerns within the Biden administration, it’s more important than ever that agencies are prepared for looming HIPAA updates and compliance.
Skyscape has been leading the charge in providing mobile products for medical professionals for decades, since before the HIPAA rule was enacted in 1996. We recently put together a case study that underscores how a HIPAA-secure platform like Buzz benefits home health agencies. The case study also covers how Buzz’s many other communication and collaboration features streamline and improve workflow, but today I’d like to highlight the importance of HIPAA compliance.
In the past few years, with the rise of telemedicine and the strain on the healthcare system overall, it is clear that protecting patient information is not being prioritized. We understand that administrators and their teams are often doing their best with limited resources. And a solution designed just for compliance is often not embraced by overworked staff members.
With Buzz, we designed HIPAA compliance as the foundation of a much larger collaboration initiative, so all information and communication flow freely while staying secure. The staff loves it because it makes them efficient and less hassled by repetitive tasks. It really can be that simple when you have the right technology platform and partner.
It’s not every day that an auditor for a state health department praises a technology solution. Visiting Higher Standards Home Health, a Buzz Test Kitchen participant, this auditor remarked:
“All agencies need to use a platform like Buzz. Sharing patient information via email or text messaging is not only a violation of patient trust, it’s an act that puts your license at risk.”
#HIPAA compliance should be the norm. We look forward to the day when all patient information is protected and accessible in real time, as it is within Buzz. It is among the many reasons we are so optimistic about our platform’s market acceptance and adoption.
We were thrilled to learn that Buzz helped Higher Standards secure their first zero-deficiency designation in their state and federal survey. From the time they deployed Buzz, they haven’t looked back. Today, Buzz is an essential part of their operation and the first thing they teach new hires.
We are excited about Higher Standards’ continued growth, expected to be over 70% this year. With the public launch, we are bringing similar benefits to other agencies, with a bonus of employee satisfaction and smooth audit processes, into the future.
More on the Higher Standards story: improving healthcare outcomes through collaborative care coordination.