Best HIPAA-Compliant Softwares for Remote Management

HIPAA compliance in healthcare

HIPAA, or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, refers to a collection of federal laws that dictate how a healthcare business is required to create, store, access, and share PHI (protected health information). All healthcare practitioners, regardless of their specific field, will most likely have to deal with an abundance of confidential information and patient data.

HIPAA guidelines help protect both patients and practitioners by detailing how exactly this information needs to be stored, ensuring that practices are held accountable for maintaining their patients' data. As a healthcare provider, you must understand the different HIPAA regulations that impact your work and abide by these at all times. Failure to comply with HIPAA will harm your patients and have significant consequences for you and your business.

As technology within the healthcare industry develops, more tools for private health practices are being implemented. While this is an exciting change, these systems are covered by HIPAA and, hence, must have adequate security measures. In this article, we'll explore why HIPAA compliance is crucial for remote software and highlight some of the best options for your business, ensuring patient protection while leveraging the latest technology.  

HIPAA-compliant remote access for healthcare businesses

Whenever a healthcare practice uses a vendor to manage or store their PHI, this vendor falls under HIPAA regulations and must enter into a business associate agreement. Typically, a healthcare business uses several different vendors to help maintain its records. HIPAA-compliant secure remote access provides a standardized way for this type of management and storage to be handled adequately with the appropriate security measures.

When evaluating third-party vendors, it's crucial to conduct research and analyze their security protocols to guarantee the protection and privacy of your PHI. HIPAA requires all authorized users to access data using personalized passwords and authentication controls, with access granted on a strict need-to-know basis. The vendor and healthcare practice should also conduct regular audits on the system’s network security and physical security for every remote access session.

Complying with every HIPAA guideline can be tricky, particularly given how frequently they are updated. It’s advisable to consistently check the guidelines to maintain compliance and conduct regular internal training programs to ensure all staff members (both clinical and administrative) are aware of how HIPAA impacts their work.

Best HIPAA-compliant remote access software

Here are some available options that are designed to ensure HIPAA compliance while securely managing and storing PHI:

SecureLink

SecureLink offers a remote access software solution designed to assist healthcare businesses in managing vendor access. The system can be accessed from a remote browser and has strict controls, ensuring only authorized users can be granted access. Data is encrypted using AES-256 encryption, and the system generates audits and tracks all access attempts. These features provide the vendor and the healthcare practice with full visibility, allowing them to identify areas requiring improvement and ensure data is always safe and secure.

TeamViewer

TeamViewer has been designed with larger businesses and corporations in mind, offering HIPAA-compliant remote access software. Data is encrypted using AES-256 encryption layers and access authentication features, recent views of user activity, and auditing options. The system also uses a public/private key exchange feature, meaning that even TeamViewer cannot access private data. 

LogMeIn Pro

LogMeIn Pro's remote access software allows healthcare workers to access files and applications remotely. It complies with HIPAA regulations using access verification methods, password protection, high-quality encryption, and audit controls. LogMeIn Pro's remote access software also allows authorized users to share files safely, with no limitations on size. Authorization is permitted using a unique ID for each user, and all usage of the system is tracked and audited.

Netop Remote Control

Netop Remote Control offers healthcare practitioners remote access software. It is HIPAA-compliant, with audit controls, authorization safeguards, password protection, and encryption. Authorized users are given a unique ID for log-in, and audits are generated up to the minute, indicating who has access to protected information at all times. Netop Remote Control is also integrated with remote desktop tools and medical devices, ensuring that healthcare practices can remotely monitor their patients' health.  

Benefits of HIPAA-compliant remote access software

The following are the benefits of ensuring that your remote sessions and operating systems are accessed through HIPAA-compliant software:

Enhanced security

Remote access software often provides stronger security measures than in-house storage, ensuring you can securely handle protected health information. Most HIPAA-compliant solutions offer data encryption, access controls, and monitoring that surpasses standard practice-based storage.

Improved remote work capabilities

Telehealth and remote healthcare services have become essential, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Remote access software enables employees to work efficiently and securely from any location or through mobile devices, maintaining productivity without compromising data security.

Comprehensive auditing and tracking

The ability to audit and track access attempts—both successful and unsuccessful—gives valuable insights into system performance and security. This data-driven approach helps identify areas for improvement and ensures compliance with HIPAA regulations.

Efficient data management and sharing

Managing and sharing patient information effectively is crucial for healthcare practices. Remote access software streamlines these processes, reducing the risk of data breaches while ensuring that critical information is accessible to authorized personnel.

Stronger organizational communication

Healthcare organizations can improve internal communication and collaboration by implementing a well-vetted remote access solution. A reliable system enhances workflow efficiency, allowing teams to focus on delivering quality patient care.

Final thoughts

Understanding HIPAA is essential to working in the healthcare industry, especially if you plan to implement remote management software. When selecting systems that store and manage your PHI, exploring HIPAA-compliant platforms integrated with various functions is vital.

Practice management software for healthcare practitioners is another tool for this purpose. Carepatron's software offers HIPAA-compliant features that adhere to regulations, including encryption, access controls, auditing, and in-person security measures at the location of remote servers. The system also integrates clinical documentation storage, appointment scheduling, medical billing, and a patient portal, ensuring that all PHI is securely stored and managed.

Using an integrated system works to your advantage, as it allows you to access all your information from a single location, improving organization and efficiency. Guaranteeing HIPAA compliance is crucial when implementing remote management software.

As you research different options, consider contacting other healthcare practices to inquire about the systems they currently use. Take your time deciding, as failing to ensure proper HIPAA compliance can have significant consequences for you and your patients.