Healthcare providers are juggling tight budgets, tighter compliance demands, and a dire need to share patient health data across different systems. Shockingly, more than two-thirds of hospitals find it difficult to find, send, receive and/or integrate patient information digitally to and from other providers.
Why? Lack of interoperability: the problem with legacy fax
A significant barrier to digital transformation in the healthcare industry is achieving interoperability — the smooth flow of data between systems that typically operate in isolation.
Legacy fax machines are everywhere in healthcare, despite investments in electronic health records (EHRs) and other modern technology. It can be difficult to integrate legacy fax systems into modern, digital workflows. This creates silos where crucial patient information is trapped in outdated formats, contributing to the overall $8 billion lost annually due to IT inefficiencies, system downtime, and lack of integration.
In 2023, 70% of hospitals engaged in all four domains of interoperable exchange (finding, sending, receiving, and integrating patient information to another provider digitally) compared to 46% in 2018. This growing commitment underscores the importance of modernization efforts that enhance interoperability, allowing healthcare providers to unlock the full potential of their existing systems.
What? Cloud fax: the modern bridge
Modern cloud-based fax solutions offer a bridge between traditional and digital systems.
Leveraging APIs and technology partnerships, a modern cloud-based fax solution can automatically integrate fax documents into EHRs and other healthcare platforms. Vital information becomes available in real time, while staying HIPAA-compliant and confidential, making it much easier to coordinate care and make decisions.
How? Less hardware, more agility
Traditional (or “on-prem”) hardware causes a lot of headaches for healthcare providers. By eliminating the need for on-prem equipment, cloud fax solutions empower healthcare organizations to scale their communication capabilities without the limitations of traditional hardware.
Integrating a cloud fax solution can make it much easier to scale without physical hardware, reduce maintenance costs and ensure all departments are efficiently sharing information and communications.
When? The future of healthcare communications is now
As the healthcare landscape evolves, so must its communication systems. Cloud Fax represents the future of healthcare communication: a secure, efficient, and compliant solution that meets the demands of a rapidly changing industry. For organizations seeking to balance innovation with regulatory requirements, it offers a clear path forward.
Want to go deeper? Read the full article on MedCity News for more insights and industry context from Jens Koch, Head of Product Management Ecosystems, Partners and Offerings at Retarus.
