PHI Data Sharing and Secure Collaboration Made Easy

  

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The article in Health Management Technology discusses today's challenges communicating Protected Health Information (PHI) and how Secure File Transfer (SFT) systems are helping healthcare entities secure PHI, accelerate clinical productivity, and drive end-user adoption.

Shortcomings of historical methods are covered along with a primer on what to ask vendors when looking at SFT systems:

1. How simple is the SFT system for end-users and how fast is adoption?
2. Is data in transit and at rest automatically encrypted? Will encryption work seamlessly with your anti-virus software?
3. Are there any file size limitations? Does the solution depend on any Exchange Server file size limitations?
4. Does the application seamlessly tie to your existing information systems, such as Microsoft Outlook, and use Active Directory?
5. Must the app be deployed in the DMZ, or can it be split between network layers?
6. How easy is it for your IT department to audit user activity and files shared?
7. How do you add users outside the hospital walls (practices, payers, HIEs, etc.)?
8. Is the solution exclusively software and easily upgradeable?
9. Are there extra charges for major release upgrades, or are they included in the service agreement?
10. What are the vendor’s mobile strategies and capabilities?

Four customer examples are also included with a summary of benefits achieved.