Online Signatures are Revolutionizing the Medical Industry

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Using Electronic Signatures in the Medical Field

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.

The Advantages of E Signatures for your business

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Ever-increasing technological innovations have made business a whole lot more convenient. From online conference calls to online faxes, technology makes business easier, and it saves time and money. One of those technological innovations making a big splash is e-signatures. There are a lot of benefits to using e-signatures for business, and understanding those benefits can help you determine whether they’re right for you or not.

Saving Time

One of the biggest benefits to businesses who utilize e-signatures is time saved. Rather than having to print and mail forms to clients, businesses can have them “sign” it in just a few minutes. This allows the customer and the business to move on to more important things. Because of the time saved, e-signatures can also help increase productivity and in turn, profits. In some companies, this can even eliminate an entire day’s worth of work, allowing them to utilize workers’ talents elsewhere.

Saving Money

E-signatures save money for companies in a number of different ways. Companies can spend from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars each year on paper, printing, and mailing forms for customers to sign. With e-signatures, all of that money is saved, which means it can be put back into another aspect of the company or transferred over to profits. It could even eliminate the need for companies to use a third party to print, organize and mail forms that need to be signed.

Going Green

Companies who are becoming more aware of their responsibility to “green” practices will benefit from e-signatures. Billions of pounds of paper waste are generated each year by companies – both small and large. Not only do e-signatures reduce paper waste, but it allows those companies to advertise as a “green” business. This, in combination with other green practices can help earn the respect of customers and potentially gain new customers who are looking for companies with a green initiative.

Convenience

Offering the option of e-signatures allows companies to offer their customers something more: convenience. In a world where everything is becoming more convenient, customers have come to expect things to be extremely easy. From paying for gas at the gas pump to having groceries delivered straight to the house, convenience is without a doubt a market. Chances are, if they’re considering two companies, they’re going to go with the one that is more convenient. Offering e-signatures allows companies to provide that convenience and be a step ahead of the competition.

Overall, e-signatures are a wonderful and positive business change. It doesn’t take a lot of time or money to integrate e-signatures into a company’s every day processes, and the end result is a whole lot better than the traditional print, mail, and sign method. They provide companies with the opportunity to save money, lots of time, and to operate as a business that is environmentally-friendly. Customers appreciate the convenience of e-signatures and companies can truly benefit from them. It’s a win-win situation.

Dispelling the Myths of E-Signatures: Are They Legal?

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Companies who are considering integrating e-signatures into their everyday business processes will quickly and easily see the benefits of them. However, one thing that stops many companies from making the decision to utilize e-signatures is wondering whether they’re truly legal and whether they work the same as actual printed and signed contracts.

Are E-Signatures Really Legal?

The most common myth about e-signatures is that they’re not actually legal, and couldn’t be upheld in a court of law. The truth is that e-signatures work just like typical contracts, and are legal and binding*. As long as companies keep records of the documents and the fact that the customer “signed” them, they can be upheld in a court of law just like regular contracts that are manually signed.

Laws Upholding E-Signatures

There are a few different laws governing e-signatures, including the ESIGN Act of 2000. This act made e-signatures just as legally binding as a traditionally-obtained signature. The law makes these signatures equal to their paper counterparts. The other law that governs e-signatures is the UETA (Uniform Electronic Transaction Act), and this law defines what an e-signature.

What is an E-Signature?

The UETA states that an e-signature is “an electronic sound, symbol, or process, attached to or logically associated with a record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the record.” Typically, e-signatures are as simple as the individual typing their name with the intent of signing an electronic document. However, it could entail something else, such as making a statement or something similar.

Great for the Customers

 Another myth that is common about e-signatures is that customers don’t trust them. This is entirely untrue. Customers have come to expect convenience, as it is something that most businesses in just about every industry place a priority on. When customers can quickly and easily accomplish something that might normally take days, they’re happier customers! By offering your customers the opportunity to electronically sign documents rather than waiting for them to come in the mail, you have an edge on your competition and can end up blowing them out of the water!

Things Companies Should Know About E-Signatures

 Companies who decided to utilize e-signatures should know that it’s very important to keep thorough records of those documents signed with e-signatures, as well as any other correspondence with customers that sign electronic documents. This is what is used if there is a dispute or conflict with the e-signature and acts as the proof in a court of law. As long as these files are kept and organized, e-signatures can be very beneficial for businesses. They save a lot of time, money, and are a great move to make with the environment in mind.

Overall, e-signatures are something all businesses should consider. It gives them a lot more freedom and allows them to offer their customers a type of convenience that many other companies simply don’t offer.

*Each case is independent and we recommend you consult with an attorney in your specific case.  We are not providing legal advice or recommendations and you should always consult with a professional.

E-signatures are becoming more popular

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In today’s world, individuals can ask a question of a colleague half a world away and receive an answer in just minutes. Paperwork that once took days and even weeks to transfer from one party to another can now be sent in the time it takes to hit a download button. Technology has made everything more convenient, including business and the way business processes are handled. E-signatures are one method businesses use to streamline processes and speed up productivity. They’re a wonderful way to save time and money, and they make doing business a lot more convenient.

What is an E-Signature?

An E-signature is a type of signature that individuals can give electronically, to prevent the need to have their actual physical signature. There are different sorts of E-signatures, from unique codes that are inserted to signify “signing,” to the simple act of typing one’s name. There are typically some measures used to ensure that the individual signing is actually the person they say they are. E-signatures allow individuals to quickly perform tasks that they might normally need to wait days or weeks for, such as signing a contract.

What are the Benefits of E-Signatures?

Businesses can especially benefit from using E-signatures in a number of ways. First and foremost, they save a lot of time, allowing businesses to get things done more quickly than through the traditional method of obtaining signatures. E-signatures are also a great way to cut costs in a business. Normally, important papers must be printed out or scanned, copied, and mailed out to the recipients. Considering the huge amount of paperwork most companies are burdened with, the cost of moving it around in this manner is relatively expensive. When using electronic forms and e-signatures, costs are cut significantly.

Green Companies

E-signatures are also very beneficial for companies who are going green, or who have made the effort to eliminate paper waste throughout their company. Approximately 30 billion paper documents are either printed or copied by companies in the United States each year. Every company that goes green and utilizes e-signatures on digital documents rather than printed copies reduces that number significantly. This goes a long way toward building a better future and reducing the amount of paper waste generated by businesses in the US.

Are E-Signatures Legal?

E-signatures are legal and can be used for all types of businesses requiring valid signatures. The Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN) ensures that electronically-signed documents and contracts are just as legally binding as a traditional paper-based contract. This law was passed in 2000, so by no means are E-signatures a brand new idea. However, the popularity is spreading and more and more companies are realizing the immense benefits of using E-signatures in everyday business process.

Overall, E-signatures are a type of technology that benefits both the businesses that utilize them and the customers that work with those businesses. From the added convenience to quicker processing and increased productivity, E-signatures are a solution that all businesses should consider.