Secure Messaging Study: 60 Percent of Docs Sending Work Texts from Personal Devices

A new survey found 60 percent of physicians sent work-related text messages from their personal devices, and 61 percent received work-related text messages. Of those doctors, only 11 percent said their hospital offered a secure messaging service, while 58 percent were not sure.

The survey, which was published in the journal Telemedicine and e-Health, was conducted by University of Kansas researchers and reported on by MobiHealth News. It reveals a startling lack of awareness among doctors of the risk they expose themselves and their hospital to when texting about work without secure messaging.

A single unsecured text message about a patient could result in a $50,000 HIPAA fine for a provider. The same survey found 12 percent of physicians sent work-related texts 10 or more times per shift. If unsecured, those providers could be exposing themselves to $1.5 million in fines.

Avizia offers the OnePass® secure messaging app, which makes it easier for doctors to not just text, but to also send video and photos of patients from any mobile device without worrying about violating privacy laws. Watch the video below and hear Dr. James Mankin, a trauma surgeon, talk about why he uses Avizia.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lEjfzO2nfo

Avizia was acquired by Amwell in July of 2018. Information on this page refers to activities that occurred prior to the acquisition and are presented for historical context. Together we provide a comprehensive acute care offering—a full end-to-end telemedicine solution for health systems and their providers.