Instead of banning all forms of text messaging, The Joint Commission, under the Administrative Simplification provisions, set guidelines for securing communication systems. Violators can expect harsh penalties, including a fine as high as $50,000, not to mention damage to their reputation. For this reason, The Joint Commission forbids the use of SMS for the transmission of electronic protected health information under HIPAA regulations. If a phone is lost, stolen, sold, or donated without erasing those SMS messages, it can become a security nightmare.

SMS messages can remain in a phone for months or years. Once a SMS message is sent, it is saved indefinitely on the recipient's phone with no way of recalling the text. And when messages reach the correct number, there is no notification from the recipient as to whether the message was read or even received. Moreover, it's possible for SMS messages to be sent to the wrong number. SMS text messages, which are sent and stored on servers in plain text, can be intercepted during transit. For these reasons, many health care professionals are using text messaging to increase efficiency.Īlthough text messaging can be fast and easy, the most common format of texting, short message service (SMS) is not sufficiently secure for a health care environment. Listening to a voice message or returning a notice from a pager can also be time consuming compared with sending a text. Even if someone is too busy to answer a call, rarely are they too preoccupied to check a text message.

This is likely due to how easy and quick it is to send a text. Text messaging has become one of the most widely used forms of communication.

Text messaging apps for hospitals