Telehealth platforms are becoming far more capable and adaptable than ever before. With more and more doctors using telehealth platforms, healthcare practices can enjoy better paperwork management across platforms as well as decreased security risks with form transmission. E-Documents also contribute to a more streamlined and secure process for both the patient and the provider, offering e-signature capabilities as well as highly protected storage of information. Here, we’ll explore the top 5 benefits of E-Documents for telehealth practices.
Using E-Documents in Telehealth: How Does it Work?
There are few things that are absolutely certain in life: death and taxes, and having to fill out paperwork when going to a new provider. For telehealth platforms, this can mean either printing out documents for the patient to fill out and fax back or emailing them unprotected. Of course, neither of these are ideal. For this reason, E-Documents have become a viable solution for collecting patient data and keeping it secure to remain HIPAA compliant.
Common types of E-Documents can include telehealth consent forms, new patient information forms, questionnaires/review of symptoms, surveys, acknowledgement of receipt of privacy practices, and more. Ideally, however, a highly capable telehealth platform will allow you the option to create whatever documents your healthcare practice uses. With that being said, what are some more advantages of secure E-Documents for your telehealth platform?
These 5 Benefits of E-Documents Just Might Convince You
E-Documents provide many advantages for both the provider and the patient. They are more secure, easily managed and signed, and they help to simplify the process while protecting both parties. Let’s explore each of these benefits in more detail:
Streamline Processes
From the provider standpoint, E-Documents help to streamline workflows by allowing all patient information to be collected before or after a session. This is important because it eliminates the need to send paperwork through a separate process, which saves time for the provider and their staff. Additionally, E-Documents reduce the chances of missing paperwork on behalf of the patient or provider.
Versatility
E-Documents are versatile in the sense that they can be used for a number of purposes. They are not just limited to new patient paperwork but can also be templated to include all the same questions as a healthcare practice’s physical forms. This may include text boxes, drop-downs, radio buttons, check boxes and date fields.
E-Signature Capabilities
Perhaps one of the most important advantages of E-Documents is the ability to collect an electronic signature from patients. In this case, documents may be digitally signed by the patient/client, and countersigned by the provider. This is especially important when legally binding documents are needed, such as a telehealth consent form, which requires the participant’s signature.
Secure Storage
Another great advantage of E-Documents are their secure storage capabilities. Once a document has been signed, it is stored in a safe environment where it cannot be accessed by any unauthorized parties. Secure storage is a necessity, as many E-Documents contain PHI (Protected Health Information), or sensitive information provided by the patient or client.
(Advanced Configuration) API Integration
For telehealth practices with more advanced technical needs, such as a practice with a separate EHR, an e-document solution with API integration is ideal. With this capability, providers can require participants to fill out detailed forms and have the individual field data update individual fields in their EHR. The API can also be configured to store completed E-Documents in the EHR as a PDF with auditable digital signature.
Why E-Documents with SecureVideo?
If you’re looking for a telehealth solution that offers E-Document capabilities, SecureVideo is the perfect platform for you. We offer a versatile E-Documents solution that can be tailored to meet the unique needs of your telehealth practice. Take one of our current customers, for example:
A large Behavioral Health practice uses E-Documents to manage their clients’ paperwork for a number of circumstances. An “Initial Paperwork” packet was created to allow clients to sign a telehealth consent form and payment policy, and provide general practice information. Another packet for “Ongoing Appointments” includes forms such as a review of symptoms questionnaire, and a treatment plan document that can be signed by both the client and provider. They even have a request for reimbursement form that can be used if the need arises, which verifies their service provided via telehealth.
This example is just one of many that demonstrates how E-Documents can be used with SecureVideo to improve workflows and patient care.
How SecureVideo is Revolutionizing Telehealth, One E-Document at a Time
While there are many telehealth platforms on the market, few if any can offer an E-Documents solution as comprehensive and advantageous as SecureVideo. If you’re looking for a platform that can provide streamlined patient intake processes, e-signature capabilities, and greater security advantages when transmitting and storing PHI, SecureVideo has got you covered.
Ready to take your telehealth practice to the next level? Get in touch with one of our experts at SecureVideo to learn more about our secure E-Document solutions.