In the past few decades, technology has become one of the most important parts of the healthcare system. From humble beginnings supporting only healthcare administration, digital tools underpin patient care, collect health information from wearable technology, and assist in lifesaving medical diagnosis and research.
In almost all healthcare settings, technology ensures people receive better health than ever before, by providing them with tools like artificial intelligence that powers diagnostic software to help doctors make decisions about diagnosis, treatment options, and future interventions for patients.
A key driver of successful patient care and business operation is striking a balance between communication, security, and accessibility. This is where Microsoft 365 comes in, transforming the way healthcare providers provide personalized care.
Read on to learn about some of the innovations in healthcare technology Microsoft 365 provides:
What is Microsoft 365?
Microsoft Office 365 is a cloud-based suite of collaboration and interactive tools that includes all of Microsoft’s existing online apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook) into one service. Depending on the Microsoft 365 plan purchased, other apps include SharePoint, Yammer, Microsoft Teams, and more.
Microsoft 365 is a robust software experience that can help health systems improve care for patients and reduce operational costs. It does this by enhancing collaboration and communication between healthcare professionals in healthcare settings of all sizes. With its cloud storage capabilities, Microsoft 365 can be accessed on desktop or mobile devices, which ensures patients are receiving the best quality of care available.
Improved medical data security
Security and medical privacy have been one of the biggest hurdles in healthcare communication. However, the healthcare industry is regulated by Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), a law governing medical privacy and access to health records. The HIPAA Privacy Rule protects the privacy of individually identifiable health information, which is where Microsoft 365 gets things right, as it is vital to ensure information is being communicated in a secure platform that complies with HIPAA regulations.
Secure messaging
Electronic messaging is more than just a convenience, it can be crucial to the success of medical diagnoses, situations, and outcomes. Microsoft 365 allows healthcare professionals to securely, conveniently, and rapidly get all related information about a patient as quickly as possible.
Built on Microsoft 365’s stable platform which is compatible across all devices, Microsoft Teams provide all healthcare workers with a common way to communicate in real-time as well as organize patient care processes and maximize operational efficiency. Messages marked as urgent will ensure the recipient is notified every two minutes until they respond to it. If there are issues or complications while handling queries or communications, a message can delegate to another staff member easily.
Another feature to be added to Teams to enhance communication is the ability for users to send messages and share images within chats. These chat tools also meet the security and compliance requirements of healthcare organizations. Built on the secure Cloud for Healthcare, Microsoft Teams is compliant with standards like HITRUST (Health Information Technology Research Trust), SOC 1 (Statement on Code Quality), SOC 2 (Security and Privacy Controls Standard) GDPR(General Data Protection Regulation).
Workflows streamlined
Microsoft 365 allows healthcare organizations the ability to create customized workflows. The portal is personalized for each user and administrators can create protocols to limit access to files to only authorized users. This ensures only the right people are accessing private and sensitive health information.
Customized and streamlined workflows can be set up so patient data, such as medications, care plans, and other information shared by multiple care providers can be centralized, enhancing the collaboration of a patient’s primary care team.
Azure API for Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources
One of the great things Microsoft 365 has to offer is Azure API for Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR). With an application programming interface, customization becomes quick and easy. Azure API for FHIR lets you create health solutions using data from multiple sources in a secure environment.
With Azure, you can connect electronic health records (EHRS) systems and other existing data sources. You can also organize, share, and prioritize information under one single hub. With protected health data in a cloud environment, Azure offers quick connections to electronics records with real-time updates of patient changes through Office apps.
Enhance your healthcare organization with M365
Leverage the capabilities of Microsoft 365 for your healthcare organization with the experts from Skynet MTS. Whether you need help designing and implementing M365 solutions to meet your operational needs, or support to optimize your current Microsoft 365 subscription, we can help. Contact the Microsoft consulting partners at Skynet MTS today.