Computers in Neonatology: Hsiao, Allen L.

NEONATOLOGY ON THE WEB

Title Secure Web Messaging in a Pediatric Chronic Care Clinic: A Slow Takeoff of "Kids' Airmail"

Author(s) Allen L. Hsiao, MD, Alia Bazzy-Asaad, MD, Concettina Tolomeo, APRN, AE-C, Diana Edmonds, AAS, Beverly Belton, RN, MSN, NE-BC, Andrea L. Benin, MDa

Source Pediatrics, Vol. 127, No. 2, Pages 406-413

Publication Date Feb. 2011

Abstract BACKGROUND Although e-mail may be an efficient clinician-patient communication tool, standard e-mail is not adequately secure to meet Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) guidelines. For this reason, firewall-secured electronic messaging systems have been developed for use in health care. Impact and usability of these secure systems have not been broadly assessed. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of a secure electronic messaging system implemented for a pediatric subspecialty clinic. METHODS This study was performed in an outpatient, academic pediatric respiratory clinic in spring 2009 in New Haven, Connecticut. Patients were surveyed prior to implementation regarding internet usage. The Kryptiq messaging system was implemented and messages were monitored continuously and tracked. Open-ended qualitative interviews with 28 users and nonusers were conducted, and we described the process of implementation. RESULTS All of the 127 patients/families surveyed expressed interest in using the Internet to contact their clinic providers, and they all reported having the ability to access the Internet. In the 8 months after implementation, only 5 messages were initiated by patients in contrast to 2363 phone calls. Themes emerged from the open-ended interviews that indicated promoters, barriers, and potential uses. Prominent barriers included the lack of convenience and personal touch and being technically difficult to use. CONCLUSIONS Although these patients/families expressed strong interest in e-mailing, secure Web messaging was less convenient than using the phone, too technically cumbersome, lacked a personal touch, and was used only by a handful of patients.

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Title	Secure Web Messaging in a Pediatric Chronic Care Clinic: A Slow Takeoff of "Kids' Airmail"
Author(s)	Allen L. Hsiao, MD, Alia Bazzy-Asaad, MD, Concettina Tolomeo, APRN, AE-C, Diana Edmonds, AAS, Beverly Belton, RN, MSN, NE-BC, Andrea L. Benin, MDa
Source	Pediatrics, Vol. 127, No. 2, Pages 406-413
Publication Date	Feb. 2011
Abstract	BACKGROUND Although e-mail may be an efficient clinician-patient communication tool, standard e-mail is not adequately secure to meet Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) guidelines. For this reason, firewall-secured electronic messaging systems have been developed for use in health care. Impact and usability of these secure systems have not been broadly assessed. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of a secure electronic messaging system implemented for a pediatric subspecialty clinic. METHODS This study was performed in an outpatient, academic pediatric respiratory clinic in spring 2009 in New Haven, Connecticut. Patients were surveyed prior to implementation regarding internet usage. The Kryptiq messaging system was implemented and messages were monitored continuously and tracked. Open-ended qualitative interviews with 28 users and nonusers were conducted, and we described the process of implementation. RESULTS All of the 127 patients/families surveyed expressed interest in using the Internet to contact their clinic providers, and they all reported having the ability to access the Internet. In the 8 months after implementation, only 5 messages were initiated by patients in contrast to 2363 phone calls. Themes emerged from the open-ended interviews that indicated promoters, barriers, and potential uses. Prominent barriers included the lack of convenience and personal touch and being technically difficult to use. CONCLUSIONS Although these patients/families expressed strong interest in e-mailing, secure Web messaging was less convenient than using the phone, too technically cumbersome, lacked a personal touch, and was used only by a handful of patients.