In the healthcare industry, patient confidentiality and data privacy are paramount. Healthcare providers must be extra cautious while communicating and exchanging sensitive patient information electronically, especially with the increasing use of digital platforms and the rising risks of cyber threats.
Moreover, data privacy regulations like HIPAA make it mandatory for healthcare providers to ensure the confidentiality of patient data.
Consequently, healthcare providers are turning towards secure healthcare communication with advanced data protection features to address these challenges.
In this article, we will discuss the top 10 secure messaging apps for healthcare that can ensure the safe exchange of sensitive data while adhering to regulatory compliance.
Top secure messaging apps for healthcare
To make it easier for healthcare providers to choose the right secure healthcare communication app for their needs, we have divided the apps into two broad categories: those that enable messaging with patients and those that support messaging between medical staff.
1. Rocket.Chat
Rocket.Chat is a versatile messaging app that supports patient messaging and collaboration between medical staff, making it a great choice for healthcare providers needing secure healthcare communication with both groups.
Additionally, Rocket.Chat, being an open-source platform, is highly flexible and can be embedded within other apps or on a website as a live chat to provide an instant and intuitive chat experience to both patients and healthcare workers.
Key features
- Supports both team collaboration and patient engagement
- Offers various channels for patient communication, including live chat, SMS, voice, email, and more
- Provides messaging, and telehealth options through native integrations with Pexip or Jitsi video conferencing tools
- Enables file sharing, screen sharing, and video conferencing for seamless collaboration
- Supports customizable notifications and chatbots
Security
- Offers end-to-end encryption to protect patient data
- Provides advanced admin controls for user management and access
- Ensures GDPR and HIPAA readiness for regulatory compliance
Best for
- Organizations that need to enable two-way communication with both patients and staff
- Healthcare providers who need a flexible messaging app with advanced security features
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2. Klara
Klara is a secure messaging application suitable for various healthcare specialties. It offers advanced features for patient messaging, care coordination, and appointment management, making it an ideal choice for healthcare providers who need a comprehensive messaging platform.
Key features
- Enables secure messaging and video visits between medical staff and patients, streamlining healthcare for patients
- Offers customizable workflows and patient follow-up options for enhanced care coordination
- Provides mobile app integration for on-the-go communication
- Allows patients to book appointments online, receive appointment reminders and pre-visit instructions via SMS, and provide intake and insurance information before their appointment
Security
- Uses bank-grade encryption to secure all data exchange and communications
- Meets HIPAA and GDPR requirements for healthcare data protection
- Offers granular user permission controls and audit trails for compliance monitoring
Best for
- Healthcare providers who need a messaging app that offers advanced patient management features, appointment scheduling, and care coordination options
3. Artera
Artera, earlier known as WELL, is a safe messaging app designed to improve patient engagement and streamline care coordination. It offers an array of features that make it easy for healthcare providers to communicate with patients, provide remote care, and manage administrative tasks efficiently.
Key features
- Enables secure messaging and video visits between medical staff and patients
- Provides customizable patient workflows for appointment scheduling, pre-visit check-ins, and follow-up care
- Offers automated appointment reminders, patient surveys, and feedback options to improve patient engagement
- Integrates with EHR and other healthcare software systems
- Has a mobile app for on-the-go communication
Security
- Uses end-to-end encryption to secure all communications and data exchange
- Meets HIPAA, HITECH, and GDPR requirements for healthcare data protection
- Provides advanced access controls and audit trails for compliance monitoring
Best for
- Healthcare providers who need a messaging app that is easy to use and offers advanced patient management features
4. OhMD
OhMD is a simple and effective messaging app that is easy to use for both healthcare providers and patients. Patients can easily send messages without creating an account or downloading an app, while healthcare providers can customize templates and workflows to streamline their communication with patients.
Key features
- Enables secure messaging between medical staff and patients
- Patients can send photos and attachments securely
- Provides customizable templates for appointment scheduling and follow-up care
- Offers a mobile app for on-the-go communication
- Allows patients to send messages without creating an account or downloading an app
Security features
- Uses bank-level encryption to secure all communications and data exchange
- Meets HIPAA and HITECH requirements for healthcare data protection
- Provides granular user permission controls and audit trails for compliance monitoring
Best for
- Healthcare providers who need an accessible messaging app that offers customizable templates for appointment scheduling and follow-up care
5. ProviderTech
ProviderTech leverages a combination of mobile technologies, artificial intelligence, and clinical expertise to enable healthcare organizations to deliver better quality care and improve patient experiences.
One of its solutions, CareMessenger, is a HIPAA-compliant text messaging platform that allows healthcare providers to securely communicate with patients and other professionals by sending private texts, photos, and documents. The platform ensures strict data security through encryption and user authentication, requiring users to verify their identity before accessing text messages.
Also, ProviderTech can integrate with electronic health record (EHR) systems, allowing for the seamless sharing of patient data. The app also offers robust administrative controls, allowing for customizable user permissions and audit trails for compliance purposes.
Key features
- Enables secure messaging and video calls between medical staff and patients
- Integration with EHR systems and other healthcare software
- Clinical task management for care coordination
- Patient education and communication tools
Security features
- End-to-end encryption
- Secure user authentication and access controls
- Compliance with HIPAA and other regulations
Best for
- Medical practices and clinics seeking a comprehensive communication and task management platform
Messaging apps for medical professionals
6. TigerConnect
TigerConnect is a messaging app designed to improve communication and care coordination among medical staff. It offers a range of features that make it easy for healthcare providers to collaborate and share information securely.
One of the major benefits of TigerConnect is its recall and self-destruct features. If a text message is sent to the wrong recipient, it can be easily recalled. Additionally, all messages self-destruct after a set period of time, ensuring that sensitive information remains protected.
TigerConnect also integrates with popular programs such as OneDrive, Dropbox, and Box, making sharing files securely within the platform easier. The messaging solution uses industry-standard encryption to protect all communications and backs up its security with a $1 million guarantee.
Key features
- Enables secure messaging, voice and video calls between medical staff members and patients
- Provides customizable workflows for care coordination and patient handoffs
- Integrates with EHR and other healthcare software systems
- Offers a mobile and desktop app for flexible communication
- Provides advanced analytics and reporting tools to improve operational efficiency
Security
- Uses industry-standard encryption to secure all communications and data exchange
- Meets HIPAA and HITECH requirements for healthcare data protection
- Provides granular user permission controls and audit trails for compliance monitoring
- Offers a $1 million guarantee for added security assurance
Best for
- Healthcare providers who need a messaging app that facilitates communication and care coordination among medical staff members
7. QliqSOFT
QliqSOFT, the messaging solution, is designed specifically for healthcare providers, allowing secure communication between medical staff members and patients. Its main features include secure messaging, video calling, and image sharing. Qliq also offers a customizable workflow engine that helps healthcare teams streamline communication and collaboration.
Key features
- Secure messaging, video calling, and image sharing
- Customizable workflow engine
- Integration with EHR systems and other healthcare software
- Advanced analytics and reporting tools
- Supports custom branding and white labeling
Security features
- End-to-end encryption for all communications and data exchanges
- Meets HIPAA and HITECH regulations for data protection
- Provides granular user permission controls and audit trails for compliance monitoring
Best for
- Small clinics and large hospitals seeking to improve communication and efficiency
- Healthcare professionals looking for a messaging app with telemedicine capabilities
8. Zinc
Zinc is a secure messaging app designed for healthcare organizations that must communicate sensitive information between staff members, patients, and care teams. It offers HIPAA-compliant messaging and voice and video calls that allow medical professionals to share critical information in real-time.
Key features
- HIPAA-compliant messaging, voice, and video calls
- Team collaboration and task management
- Integration with EHR systems
- Mobile and desktop apps for flexible use
- Automatic message archiving for legal and regulatory compliance
- Broadcast messaging to reach multiple team members at once
Security
- End-to-end encryption
- Two-factor authentication
- Device-level passcodes
- Remote wipe of lost or stolen devices
- Audit logs for compliance reporting
Best for:
- Zinc is best suited for healthcare organizations that need a messaging app with robust security features and EHR integration.
- Its flexible use on both mobile and desktop platforms makes it a great option for busy medical professionals, and its automatic message archiving and audit logs help ensure regulatory compliance.
9. Notifyd
Notifyd is a secure messaging solution designed specifically for healthcare providers. It offers HIPAA-compliant messaging, voice, and video calls, as well as integrations with EHR systems and other healthcare tools.
Key features
- HIPAA-compliant messaging, voice, and video calls
- Integration with EHR systems and other healthcare tools
- Task management and workflow automation
- Customizable message templates for faster communication
- Mobile app with push notifications for instant alerts
Security
- End-to-end encryption
- Two-factor authentication
- Role-based access controls
- Remote wipe of lost or stolen devices
- Audit logs for compliance reporting
Best for
- Notifyd is best suited for healthcare providers that need a secure messaging app with EHR integrations and workflow automation.
10. Spok
Spok is a messaging app designed for healthcare professionals and organizations. It provides secure communication and collaboration tools that help to streamline workflows and improve patient care.
Spok's messaging platform offers a variety of communication channels, including secure text messaging, voice calls, and video conferencing. It also has advanced features like message escalation, which ensures that messages are delivered to the right person at the right time, and message history tracking, which allows users to see the status of messages they've sent.
Key features
- Secure messaging for clinical communication
- Integration with EHRs for streamlined workflows
- Two-way paging and on-call scheduling
- Mobile app for on-the-go messaging
- Voice recognition for hands-free messaging
Security
- Encrypted messaging
- Secure authentication and access controls
- Audit trails for compliance reporting
- Compliant with HIPAA and other industry standards
Best for
- Large medical practices seeking to integrate messaging with their EHR system
What are the benefits of secure messaging apps in healthcare organizations?
Secure messaging apps for healthcare have become increasingly popular in the healthcare industry due to their many benefits.
Here are some of the most significant benefits of using secure messaging apps in healthcare organizations:
1. Avoiding HIPAA breaches
HIPAA regulations are strict when it comes to patient data privacy and security. However, HIPAA breaches are often unintentional yet incredibly impactful to brand reputation and patients’ trust.
With strong security features, messaging apps listed above can prevent unintentional mistakes.
2. Meeting patients seamlessly
In today's digital age, patients prefer convenience when communicating digitally and receiving updates and information on their mobile devices.
Secure messaging apps for healthcare enable healthcare providers to connect with their patients on the platform they use daily, improving the overall patient experience.
3. Improving staff communication
Effective and fast communication is crucial in healthcare, especially in emergencies where every second counts.
These messaging apps facilitate quick and efficient communication between medical and non-medical staff, allowing them to collaborate and coordinate patient care more effectively.
Build a secure messaging experience in your organization
Secure messaging apps for healthcare are becoming increasingly important for healthcare organizations looking to improve communication, save time, and avoid HIPAA breaches.
Rocket.Chat offers an easy way to build a secure messaging experience for healthcare teams and patients. Its focus on privacy, collaboration and scalability makes it an excellent choice for reliable and seamless communication.
Try Rocket.Chat today and see how you can improve your team efficiency and patient engagement.
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- Scalable and white-labeled
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- Full patient conversation history
- HIPAA-ready
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- Open source code
- Highly secure and scalable
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- End-to-end encryption
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- Supports compliance with HIPAA, GDPR, FINRA, and more
- Supports compliance with HIPAA, GDPR, FINRA, and more
- Highly secure and flexible
- On-prem or cloud deployment
