How Medical Professionals Use Texting and Still Comply with PHI

by Holly Shoemaker

In a previous blog I recapped how text messaging had become a preferred method of communication for those working in the emergency room (ER). Now, some medical professionals have looked at texting as a means of sending information regarding patient follow ups.

Study at a Glance and HIPAA

A recent study published in the American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) looked at using text messaging to follow up with lower-income parents whose children had received a flu shot and needed follow-up visits.

The participants determined they wanted to send targeted messages, which were to include the child’s name and a reference to a “second flu shot.”

That seemed like an easy and effective way to remind parents about a follow-up visit, and texting provides an easy way to communicate with a majority of patients. However, there were problems with the language. The message contained Patient Health Information (PHI) as defined by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Under HIPAA, all communication must protect patient information. In this case, the message had the patient’s name and implied he/she had already received a flu shot. Those two pieces of information violated patient privacy.

Text messaging is also not considered a secure form of electronic communication. Even when sent by secured means, there is no way to guarantee the intended recipient receives the message.

The study team found away to protect PHI. It eliminated names and made the language generic. Instead of saying that a child needed a second flu shot, the team send a reminder that some children may need a second one. The message ended by prompting the recipient to call for an appointment.

Concluding Thoughts

The study serves as a good reminder for those medical professionals who prefer texting. It is a feasible means to communicate as long as the messages keep patient information private. The study also sets a standard on how to comply with HIPAA and PHI.

Johns Hopkins Likely to Set Benchmarks for Medical Mobile Apps

by Holly Shoemaker

Johns Hopkins University has announced that as part of its Global mHealth Initiative it has started researching and analyzing current medical mobile apps. This is an impressive undertaking as Research2Guidance, a market research firm, estimated that there are over 40,000 mobile health apps on the market.

Research Overview

Johns Hopkins will conduct 49 studies. Its goals are to evaluate current health app offerings, and examine what strategies work best to assist doctors, medical professionals and consumers. The Global mHealth Initiative will compare how well the apps work against traditional methods such as clinic visits.

Alan Labrique, director of the Johns Hopkins Global Health Initiative, acknowledged that case studies only go so far. He said people need to have the willingness to use technology and follow advice for an app to work. In the end, patients will need to embrace technology so they better understand how to monitor and change behaviors that affect health.

Concluding Thoughts

While many apps come with disclaimers, doctors and patients will feel more secure by using apps recommended from a reputable university like Johns Hopkins. Its research will add to the legitimacy of medical mobile apps and likely help standardize best practices for developers.

Five Ways to Ensure Medical Apps Are Accurate and Reliable

by Holly Shoemaker

When designing apps for the medical industry, accuracy and reliability rank as some of the most important factors for users. Physicians, nurses and other medical professionals will want to use medical mobile apps that have accurate and up-to-date information.

There are some steps that developers should follow to ensure that their medical apps meet the needed standards. Those include:

• Working with subject matter experts to ensure that apps provide accurate and timely information.
• Asking questions so developers know exactly how medical professionals will use the apps.
• Testing apps to ensure they work according to the needed standards.
• Making changes based on user-acceptance testing prior to releasing apps to the iPhone and/or Android markets.
• Scheduling release updates to keep apps relevant and incorporating any additional information that will help medical professionals diagnose, treat or communicate with patients. I wrote about the importance of using release updates to keep apps relevant in a previous blog. Readers may find that blog at: http://myuniversalapps.blogspot.com/2011/11/mobile-app-releases-help-apps-remain-in.html.

Concluding Thoughts

Just like patients hold their doctors and other medical professionals to high standards, those in the medical field will hold apps to the same ones. If I saw a doctor using a mobile app to assist in a diagnosis or treatment plan, I would ask questions regarding the validity of the app. Developers will need to keep the above tips in mind when developing mobile medical apps.