Best practices for securing your patients’ privacy while using telehealth

Confidential patient information is critical to building trust and maintaining compliance

TELEHEALTH HAS BECOME A BOOMING INDUSTRY IN RECENT YEARS, providing patients with convenient access to health care services once only available in the office. With the telehealth industry expected to reach $101.15 billion in 2023, there is no stopping its growth.

However, this convenience comes at a price, as privacy and security concerns have risen to the forefront. While telehealth offers many benefits to both health care providers and patients, ensuring the privacy and security of patient information is critical to building trust and maintaining compliance.

This article explores best practices for securing your patients’ privacy while using telehealth, including the latest regulations and technologies available to protect sensitive data.

Telehealth privacy regulations

Telehealth and privacy go hand in hand, so the U.S. government has implemented several regulations to safeguard patient data.

HIPAA compliance

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a federal law setting standards for protecting patients’ health information privacy and security. HIPAA requires health care providers to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of patients’ health information.

All health care providers must ensure their practice is HIPAA compliant, including those who use telehealth. Providers should familiarize themselves with HIPAA regulations to avoid unintentional HIPAA violations. They should also stay updated on security information and regularly confirm if they comply with all HIPAA regulations.

Patient information must be encrypted both in transit and at rest to prevent unauthorized access or disclosure. Access to patient data should also be restricted to authorized individuals only.

State and federal privacy regulations

Health care providers should be aware of other state and federal privacy regulations for telehealth. These regulations may require additional informed consent from patients before using telehealth or obtaining a license to practice telemedicine in the state where the patient resides.

Telehealth privacy laws

Many states have implemented telehealth laws and regulations to protect patient privacy and ensure health care providers follow best practices. For example, some states require telehealth providers to obtain patient consent before using telehealth services. Many must also notify patients about telehealth’s privacy and security risks.

Telehealth providers must take proactive measures to ensure patient privacy and security. Compliance with federal and state privacy regulations is critical, as failure to comply can result in significant fines and legal penalties.

Privacy and security concerns in telehealth

While telehealth has many benefits, health care providers must address several potential privacy and security concerns, including data breaches and unsecured communication channels.

Data breaches

In recent years, cyberattacks have become one of the most common and costly security issues in the health care industry. According to health care data breach statistics, the number of reported data breaches has been steadily increasing, with more than 44.8 million health care records compromised in 2022 alone.

The threat of data breaches is a significant concern for health care providers using telehealth services. These breaches can result in the loss, theft or exposure of sensitive patient information, including medical histories, personal identification details and financial information.

Health care providers can face legal and financial penalties for failing to protect patient data adequately. Data breaches can also damage the reputation of health care providers, leading to a loss of trust and potential patient turnover.

Unsecured communication channels

Another concern is the use of unsecured communication channels. Email, text messaging and other unencrypted or unprotected communication can be easily intercepted or accessed by third parties, putting patient privacy at risk.

Best practices for securing patients’ privacy while using telehealth

Health care providers should implement the following best practices to address telehealth privacy and security concerns:

Use secure telehealth platforms and communication channels: Health care providers should only use telehealth platforms and communication channels that are HIPAA compliant and offer end-to-end encryption.

Obtain informed consent: Patients should be fully informed of the risks and benefits of using telehealth, and their consent should be obtained before any telehealth services are provided.

Use strong passwords: Health care providers should use strong passwords and multifactor authentication to prevent unauthorized access to patient data.

Limit access to patient information: Only authorized individuals should have access to patient data, and access should be limited to the minimum necessary for the intended purpose.

Regularly update security protocols: Telehealth providers should regularly update their security protocols to stay ahead of emerging threats and ensure patient data remains secure.

The latest technologies for telehealth privacy and security

In addition to best practices, the following technologies are available to enhance telehealth privacy and security:

Encryption is a critical technology for protecting patient data in transit and at rest. Telehealth providers should encrypt all patient data using strong encryption algorithms.

Virtual private networks (VPNs) create a secure, encrypted tunnel between the health care provider and patient, protecting data from interception or unauthorized access.

Biometric authentication, such as fingerprint or facial recognition, can be used to verify the identity of patients and health care providers, adding an extra layer of security to telehealth services.

Remote patient monitoring devices can collect patient data and transmit it securely to health care providers, reducing the need for in-person visits and minimizing the risk of data breaches.

Penetration testing tools, or pen testing tools, test for vulnerabilities within a network or system. This provides valuable insight into a system’s security and protection capabilities.

By using the latest technologies, health care providers can maintain compliance with regulatory requirements and protect patient data from unauthorized access or disclosure. Patients can then feel confident that their health information is secure, and trust in telehealth services can continue growing.

Conclusion

Telehealth offers many benefits to health care providers and patients by providing convenient access to care, reducing costs and improving health outcomes. However, to fully realize the benefits of telehealth, providers must ensure the privacy and security of patient data.

Implementing the best practices for telehealth privacy and security and leveraging the latest technologies available is key. Doing so allows providers to build trust with patients and realize the full potential of telehealth to improve health care outcomes.

DEBORAH MACHATE is a licensed nurse turned wordsmith with more than eight years of experience crafting content across various niches. But her heart lies in the holistic world of health and wellness. Machate is on a mission to inspire and empower readers to take control of their health by sharing her wealth of knowledge through informative and well-researched articles. Whether the topic is natural remedies, herbal medicine or alternative therapies, with her unique blend of nursing expertise and writing prowess, she’s your go-to health care writer.