Why Practices Should Still Utilize Telehealth Amid COVID-19
COVID-19 prompted a widespread adoption of telehealth solutions across the country. Pro...
November 23, 2020
The pandemic prompted the rapid adoption of telehealth technology across most health systems in the United States. While some well-established telehealth solutions had quality security measures in place, many providers opted for seemingly less complicated market options. With so many options to choose from, some providers were left with less than optimal solutions. This mass adoption of telehealth solutions is causing some providers to run into safety and security challenges that might put them at risk now and in the future.
The Pandemic and Virtual Care Coverage
The pandemic led to increased coverage for telehealth with fewer restrictions. These decisions were made to prompt more patients to utilize digital services instead of in-person services. The hopes of this decision were that fewer patients would be entering high-risk facilities and opt for stay-at-home care instead through the duration of the pandemic. This coverage will decline once the state of emergency is over.
Telehealth Cybersecurity Attacks
Telehealth vendors that have been in existence for some time have quality security measures in place. Some issues providers are encountering have more to do with telehealth solutions that are popping up all across the market. Top virtual care software vendors saw a 30% increase in cybersecurity attacks in the first month of the pandemic. Hackers are trying to take advantage of the mass adoption of this technology. The malware activity has shifted from organization focused attacks to vendor focused attacks.
Poor security leaves your practice and patients vulnerable to dangerous cybersecurity attacks. This means that your practice data and your patient’s information are at higher risk of getting into the wrong hands. This leaves your practice vulnerable to violating compliance and security regulations.
Finding the Right Telehealth Vendor:
Increased Security
The right telehealth vendor has quality security in place. They have years of experience fighting off cybersecurity attacks and know how to keep patients and providers safe. They have a seamless integration process that enables your team to understand how to safely use the software and lower your risk of cyber-attacks or vulnerability.
Customer Support
Customer support is vital through any transition. If your practice is considering implementing a new telehealth solution, then it would be wise to partner with a vendor that offers quality customer support. This is important for the moments where your team has questions or concerns regarding the technology, enabling your team to run at its most effective pace.
Accessible Solution
The virtual care solution your practice chooses to implement should also be accessible while offering top security. This means it should be user-friendly but also HIPAA compliant. With more of your team working from home and on-the-go, an accessible solution can make all of the difference. Find a vendor that wants to help your team utilize all that telehealth has to offer without putting you and your practice at risk.
To learn more about a quality telehealth solution, click here.