E-Signing
Technology in the past decade has improved by leaps and bounds, revolutionizing nearly every aspect of the medical industry. One such improvement is the increasing awareness of the benefits of online signatures, as well as the improved online signature tools offered by cutting edge companies. The benefits of implementing this kind of technology are substantial, and more medical facilities should consider those benefits.
About Online Signatures
Online, or electronic, signatures are as legally binding as traditional signatures. They consist of a typed name or mark that is unique to the individual signing the document. Records are also retained which show the origin of the signature and items related to it, so they can be used in the event of a conflict or dispute. A large number of companies are realizing the benefits of online signatures and integrating them into their business processes.
Uses
In a medical setting, online signatures can be used for a number of things. They’re beneficial for ordering supplies, keeping health records, creating prescriptions for medications, authorizing or confirming lab reports, creating doctor’s orders and more. They’re also helpful for remote employees who need to sign documents from time to time. The uses of online signatures for the medical industry are limitless.
Cost Effective
Online signatures are very cost effective and can reduce costs in a healthcare setting dramatically. Traditional signatures often require documents to be printed, mailed or faxed, filed, and stored. After this, there’s still the chance of those paper documents becoming lost. The cost of maintaining paper documents with signatures is estimated at about $6 a signature. At just 200 signatures a year, the cost is $1200 annually. Online signatures completely eliminate those costs.
Going Green
Another huge benefit of online signatures is that they’re more environmentally friendly. This is beneficial for healthcare facilities who want to embrace eco practices and for those seeking certification with certain environmental groups or efforts. Online signatures cut out a huge portion of paper waste within a healthcare facility, therefore helping to reduce the carbon footprint of the company and supporting eco-friendly initiatives.
Overall, online signatures are a huge benefit to the medical community in all aspects, from saving money to making routine practices easier to handle. The cost of implementing online signatures into business processes is relatively low, and it pays for itself over a period of time. Healthcare facilities who haven’t integrated online signatures into their processes should consider it as well as the associated benefits.