Dive Brief:
- athenahealth has launched athenaText, a free, HIPAA-compliant text messaging service integrated into the the company's cloud-based EHR platform. The service is accessible via the standalone athenaText (available on iTunes) or Epocrates mobile apps.
- The service was designed "so doctors and staff can communication with each other wherever and whenever they need on a unified, easy-to-use platform," Abbe Don, vice president of strategic design, said in a statement. "With athenaText, we're empowering providers to build secure care teams and engage in quick yet significant ways that improve the quality of care patients receive."
- According to the company, physicians will have the ability to exchange patient charts securely across care settings using athenaText later this year.
Dive Insight:
The texting service has been used by Annapolis Internal Medicine, LLC. for several months to enhance communication. Dr. Kevin Groszkowski, a provider of that group, said in a press release that it has eliminated phone tag amongst employees.
"The biggest benefit is being able to respond immediately to clinical questions from our nurse practitioners—whether I'm in or out of the office," Groszkowski said. "What I love is that care isn't slowed down because I missed a call or email and patients aren't kept waiting. athenaText keeps the care cycle moving forward, saving us valuable time while improving patient care."