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The Do's and Don'ts of Digital Communication

We use many different forms of digital communications in the course of doing business. Here's how to use them effectively.

Posted in Articles on Friday, July 28, 2023

We use many different forms of digital communications in the course of doing business, including text, email and phone. Here are a few reminders of some of the dos and don’ts when using these methods:

Text (among the health care team)

  • Do limit the amount of sensitive information and always exclude personal health information (PHI).
  • Do use encrypted devices.
  • Do NOT text PHI.

Email

  • Do encrypt all emails.
  • Do NOT add PHI to the subject line.
  • Do NOT use personal staff email addresses. Use only a designated business email address.

Telephone

  • Do limit the information you leave in a voicemail.
  • Do always consider the amount of information necessary to leave in a voicemail.
  • Do NOT leave highly sensitive information in a voicemail.

It's important to remember that a patient has the right to request how and to whom information can be shared or communicated. HIPAA privacy rules also give individuals the rights to request a restriction on uses and/or disclosures of their personal health information.

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