Hospital overcrowding is a global issue that affects the number of resources available and the quality of care. According to Theron Govender, a final year medical student at Wits University, Johannesburg, overcrowding often results in ineffective patient communication.
Many patients leave medical settings with unclear understandings of their condition, treatment, or needed next steps, resulting in avoidable complications that burden already strained systems.
Govender points out, “In some cases, patients are very poorly educated about their condition, which makes treating and preventing morbidity a major issue. More needs to be done to ensure that we educate individuals in a way that’s understandable and respectful.”
Most specifically, in the US, overcrowded ERs are often a result of understaffing, compounded by an aging population and a growing demand for mental health services. NBC’s report on ER overcrowding explains, "[Since] America's health care system as a whole is woefully understaffed, patients show up in the ER and, without any place else to go, stay in the ER."
Ultimately, patients leave without fully understanding their conditions, and the scarcity of resources pushes hospitals to manage primary care, while long-term patient education is left behind.
So, how can we sustainably improve patient education in overcrowded healthcare settings?
Secure digital platforms, like HIPAA compliant emails, allow healthcare professionals to provide educational materials directly to the patient, offering clarity on their diagnosis and treatment.
HIPAA compliant emails can include secure links to additional resources, treatment guides, and videos that will improve patient’s understanding. So, providers can reinforce advice given in person and potentially reduce unnecessary follow-up visits.
These resources can also help patients understand their health information, make informed decisions, and actively participate in their healthcare, leading to better health outcomes.
Furthermore, HIPAA compliant email is a functional bridge between the gap in education and privacy, giving patients access to educational resources while safeguarding their medical information.
How can hospitals integrate HIPAA compliant emails without disrupting workflows?
- Integration: HIPAA compliant email solutions easily integrate into existing electronic health records to minimize workflow disruptions.
- Staff training: Hospitals must offer regular staff training on HIPAA compliant communication and how to identify and report potential breaches.
- Automation: Providers can automate routine communications, like appointment reminders or follow-up instructions, to reduce their administrative workload.
- Standardized templates: Hospitals can create templates for common patient interactions, with consistent responses that save time and reduce errors.
- Audits/assessments: Regular workflow assessments will help find improvement points for better hospital efficiency.
Go deeper: How to improve email workflows
FAQs
What are HIPAA compliant emails?
HIPAA compliant emailing platforms, like Paubox, use encryption and other security measures, like access controls, to safeguard patients’ protected health information (PHI) from data breaches.
What information can be shared via HIPAA compliant emails?
Providers can share test results, treatment plans, educational resources, appointment reminders, and medication instructions while maintaining patient privacy.
Do HIPAA compliant emails improve patient care?
Yes, HIPAA compliant emails improve the accuracy, security, and reliability of patient communication, so providers deliver better and safer patient care.
Read also: How patient-centered communication improves patient outcomes
