Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/593112
23 Executive Briefing security is inherent in how Vocera's solutions work, according to Mr. Shah. "Security isn't something you bolt on. It's not something that you add in afterward," he says. "Security has to be para- mount." Vocera has been recognized for its commitment to security. The company is certified by the U.S. Department of Defense to provide communications to military healthcare facilities. This certification is the result of a rigorous security review and audit. Striking the right balance between security and convenience The risks associated with physicians sending and receiving unsecure text messages are clear, yet many physicians still use texting methods that aren't secure in favor of convenience. In fact, a 2014 survey by Spyglass Consulting Group revealed 96 percent of physicians have used SMS — an unse- cure text messaging method — for patient care, thereby risking HIPAA violations, data breaches and fines of up to $1.5 million per year. Addressing this issue requires balance. If a solution is too convenient it's likely not secure, like SMS, says Mr. Shah. "On the other hand, if it's secure and not convenient, people aren't going to use it." The key is to provide familiarity. "To drive compliance and usage amongst physicians, you have to give them an experi- ence they're used to," says Mr. Shah. For example, Vocera's solution offers physicians a secure texting experience that mirrors the process they're accustomed to with SMS texting. In addition to being secure and convenient, there has to be added value and convenience for physicians to want to use a communications solution. An example is Vocera's master directory that is included in their secure texting solution. Voc- era has the ability to offer the largest directory in the industry because it has the largest number of customers, with more than 1,000 healthcare facilities using the Vocera solution. This makes texting convenient for a larger population, which is of utmost importance in value-based care models. "The ability to communicate is completely irrelevant and useless if you don't have an accurate directory of people to communicate with," says Mr. Shah. How a communications platform can increase clinical collaboration To further advance care team collaboration, it is neces- sary to integrate health system communication platforms with EHRs and other clinical systems currently in use, such as nurse call systems. This provides critical data in real time for optimal patient care and keeps clinicians up-to-date on the patient's journey. Mobile EHR app users can connect with the Vocera Collab- oration Suite to use voice communication and secure text mes- saging through their smartphones. In addition, Vocera software can synchronize care team assignment information between the EHR and the Vocera mobile app, allowing care team mem- bers to access the appropriate member of the team. Using a communications solution to improve patient satisfaction The faster a care team reacts to patients and their needs, the more satisfied patients become. Therefore, making sure care team communication is "quick, easy and accurate" is vital, says Mr. Shah. If a patient is in pain and wants to get a hold of a nurse, the patient will grow frustrated if he or she can't get in touch with the nurse. The patient will also become frustrated if he or she has to wait for the nurse to talk to the physician. By giving the nurse and patient access to each other in the way they want to communicate, secure texting allows the patient's needs to be better met. In addition, Vocera's solution allows the care team to com- municate with the patient. This improves the patient's under- standing of treatment plans and adherence to those plans. Communicating with the patient's family is just as import- ant as communicating with the patient. When a patient is in the hospital, their family members want high-quality care delivered quickly. Real-time communication between nurses and physi- cians speeds up the care process, and gives family members peace of mind. "Healthcare works on workflow" A secure texting solution needs to be intimately connect- ed to the workflow platform, says Mr. Shah. Vocera has made that a priority. The company's communications solution drives efficiency, patient and staff satisfaction, and makes the whole system operate more smoothly. In today's healthcare climate, where efficiently providing high-quality care is the goal, communication is key, and using a secure platform that gives clinicians the information they need when they need it is essential. "Patient care, safety and satisfaction are top priorities for Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, so we are committed to giving our providers the best tools available to improve com- munication efficiencies and clinical outcomes. After review- ing existing practices and new technology tools, the Vocera Secure Texting Solution was the clear choice," said Carl Olden, Chief Medical Informatics Officer at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital. "Vocera's Secure Texting Solution gives our provid- ers a HIPAA-compliant, convenient communication and care coordination solution and leverages the benefits of the Vocera Communication Platform. This solution brings the hospital's clinical team and our community care providers together under a single platform to allow timely, mobile and secure communi- cations so they can keep focus on patient care." n Sponsored by: Vocera provides enterprise-class communication solutions that help care teams collaborate more efficiently across the patient's healthcare journey by delivering the right information, to the right person, on the right device, at the right time. Vocera solutions are installed in more than 1,300 organizations worldwide, improving quality, efficiency, safety and outcomes.