Is SaaS Safe for Storing Patient Data? With healthcare going digital, managing patients, using EHRs, conducting diagnostics, and offering telemedicine have come to rely on Software as a Service (SaaS) platforms. However, there are big concerns about the safety, privacy, and lawful handling of information when it is stored on a cloud platform. The key question arises: Are patients’ health records safe with SaaS software? This article discusses the effects of adopting SaaS healthcare compliance industry by exploring different SaaS risks in healthcare, legal issues, and best safety tips. What is SaaS in Healthcare? Software as a Service, or SaaS, makes it possible for users to run applications directly over the internet, without installing them on their own devices. SaaS is helping hospitals, clinics, and health tech startups to improve the way they function. This means providers can obtain and use medical software from anywhere, often paying a monthly fee. It is especially eye-catching due to its ability to grow, its low costs, and the simplicity of making updates. Some common SaaS applications in healthcare are appointment setup, patient portals, telehealth platforms, medical records software, and billing. The requirement for easy and instant access to information and integration of various applications is encouraging greater use of SaaS solutions by providers. Even so, saving patient records online raises issues about how safe the cloud is in healthcare and if these systems can meet strict information security regulations. Key Security and Privacy Risks With Saas Companies working with Protected Health Information (PHI) have to be aware of the special risks that come with SaaS adoption. Main problems include unauthorized users getting in, insecure APIs, not using encryption, and not requiring strong user authentication. Protecting patient data is a top priority, as Healthtech cybersecurity breaches or leaks can give rise to serious issues, for instance, legal issues and harm the company’s reputation. Because ransom ware and phishing are becoming more advanced, more healthcare data is being breached. As a rule, poorly configured Cloud security in healthcare and social engineering scams are often behind most data breaches. Besides, opening your system to third-party integrations can create security risks if they are not handled correctly. SaaS presents another problem in healthcare by not allowing full awareness of where or how medical data is managed, mainly in situations where many different customers share the same cloud infrastructure. If there are no strong security guidelines and accountability, important data could end up in the wrong hands. What Makes a SaaS Provider Secure for Healthcare? Not all SaaS vendors know how to keep healthcare data safe and secure. It is important for providers to check that vendors follow the laws such as HIPAA and GDPR. A Healthcare SaaS Solution should follow strict guidelines regarding encryption, activity logging, secure user access, and reliable data backup procedures. It’s essential to work with vendors who are willing to sign Business Associate Agreements (BAAs), ensuring accountability in handling PHI. Providers should also have clear conversations with SaaS companies about their data encryption methods, for both stored and transmitted data, to protect against unauthorized access. A safe provider will carry out routine security assessments and certify their actions by SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, or HITRUST. An audit of this type helps maintain privacy in the cloud and allows customers to trust that the provider will protect their data. When choosing a SaaS vendor, healthcare organizations also need to think about whether the SaaS services follow the GDPR compliance for SaaS healthcare rules if they are dealing with patients from the EU or process international data. GDPR also requires hospitals to meet certain standards on data access, consent, and reporting data breaches, along with HIPAA. Book Free Demo Best Practices for Healthcare Providers Using SaaS Healthcare providers need to implement multiple strategies, mixing technology and business processes, to protect themselves in SaaS. Following these steps helps lower the risk of threats and makes the company more compliant. Vendor Assessment: Make sure you fully check the compliance, certifications, and honesty of each SaaS vendor. Search for applications that are suitable for healthcare, with security and smooth Secure EMR software usage as priority. Encryption and Access Control: Ensure the SaaS data encryption systems in use are very reliable. Add multi-factor authentication, role-based access control, and make encryption standard throughout the systems. With these steps, PHI in Cloud-based EHR security is better protected from unauthorized people. Staff Training: A lot of Healthcare data breaches happen because of people making mistakes. Training regularly teaches staff why sharing patient data should be avoided and how to protect themselves from phishing and improper usage of sensitive data. Regular Audits and Monitoring: Regularly conduct inside evaluations and vulnerability scans to spot anything unexpected. Check system logs for unusual activities and choose vendors that carefully track and record every action done with patient data. Data Backup and Disaster Recovery: It’s important that your SaaS company automatically backs up its data and has a tested disaster recovery system in place. This is done to keep the system going if something like a fault or an attack occurs. Legal and Contractual Safeguards: Include in the agreement a description of who is responsible for the data, what the liabilities are, and how much time they have to report a breach. Being well structured, a Service Level Agreement (SLA) helps achieve accountability. Compare Deployment Models: Think about the differences in security when choosing between SaaS vs on-premise security options. Large organizations that have their own IT teams may find that on-premise models are a better fit for regaining more control. However, with the right provider, SaaS can be just as secure, if not more so—than on-premise alternatives. Data Residency and Local Laws: Look into whether the supplier stores your data in your region as required. In some countries, the rules say medical data must stay inside the nation’s borders, which affects how software-as-a-service companies can function. Conclusion Using SaaS platforms in healthcare, such as Clinic
InstaCare Future Health Forum – Pakistan’s Premier Digital Health Conference Are you ready to witness the convergence of healthcare and technology on a grand scale? Look no further! InstaCare proudly announces the much-anticipated “InstaCare Future Health Forum 2023,” Pakistan’s leading digital health conference. This mega event promises to be a transformative experience, bringing together the brightest minds in the industry to revolutionize healthcare in the country. Join us as we delve into the future of health and unveil cutting-edge innovations that will shape the healthcare landscape in Pakistan. What is InstaCare Future Health Forum 2023? InstaCare Future Health Forum 2023 is a unique event aiming to elevate Pakistan’s healthcare system through digital transformation. Collaborating with renowned partners, including Chughtai Lab, Dr. Akbar Niazi Teaching Hospital – ANTH, OBS AGP (Pvt.) Limited and Future D Pakistan, this conference will set the stage for an unparalleled exchange of ideas and advancements. The Significance of Digital Health in Pakistan: Digital health has emerged as a game-changer in recent years, revolutionizing how we approach healthcare. The possibilities are limitless, from telemedicine and health apps to AI-powered diagnostics and data-driven treatments. The InstaCare Future Health Forum 2023 will be a melting pot of innovations, exploring the potential of digital health to improve patient outcomes, increase access to quality care, and enhance overall healthcare efficiency in Pakistan. Key Highlights of InstaCare Future Health Forum 2023: Esteemed Guests and Keynote Speakers: The event will be graced by the presence of H.E. The President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi, and Prof. Dr. Javed Akram, Minister of Health Punjab and Minister of Social Welfare, along with prominent leaders from the IT and healthcare industries. Their valuable insights and expertise will shape Pakistan’s digital health discourse. Engaging Panel Talks: One of the conference’s highlights will be the captivating panel discussions featuring distinguished experts. These discussions will delve into the role of women in healthcare, the impact of technology on patient care, and the future of healthcare in the digital age. Awards and Recognition: InstaCare Future Health Forum 2023 will shine a spotlight on trailblazers in the healthcare sector. Exceptional leaders and rising stars will be acknowledged and celebrated for their remarkable contributions to the industry. Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded professionals, digital health enthusiasts, and industry leaders. The conference provides an excellent platform for networking, fostering collaborations, and exploring potential partnerships. Unveiling Innovative Solutions: Get ready to witness ground-breaking digital health innovations showcased by InstaCare and its esteemed partners. These innovations will pave the way for a more inclusive, accessible, and patient-centric healthcare system in Pakistan. Event Details: Date: August 2023 (Stay tuned for the confirmed date!) Venue: Pearl Continental Hotel, Lahore Don’t miss this exceptional opportunity to be part of Pakistan’s premier digital health conference, InstaCare Future Health Forum 2023. Embrace the digital transformation of healthcare and be inspired by visionary leaders, innovative solutions, and game-changing technologies. Let’s shape a healthier, tech-driven future for Pakistan’s healthcare landscape. Save the date and mark your calendars for InstaCare Future Health Forum 2023 – where the digital health revolution begins!
InstaCare is one of the Top Digital Health Startups in Pakistan, leveraging information technology to raise the standards of Healthcare Systems. Bilal Amjad, Founder & CEO at InstaCare, was recently awarded the Excellence Award 2023 by The President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi. At the Digital Summit in Islamabad, InstaCare was recognized as one of the top digital health startups in 2023, and Bilal Amjad as one of the year’s top and most innovative HealthCare Entrepreneurs. This award is extended to millions of healthcare providers and patients in Pakistan as it represents a commitment to improving the healthcare system in Pakistan. A step towards improving medication safety, tracking, and reporting; and promoting quality of care through optimized access to and adherence to guidelines. Currently, around 92% of the rural and 100% of the urban populations have access to health services. This improvement has been a direct result of digital health apps in Pakistan, such as InstaCare, which caters to more than 4500 clinics across Pakistan and beyond, indicating the spread of reliable and accessible healthcare. The primary goal is to optimize current health systems, ease doctors’ work, and improve patient care by reducing errors. In 2022 InstaCare detected more than 300 medical errors, which means the InstaCare family saved above 300 lives through its AI-Based Smart Clinic Management System. HealthTech itself refers to the application of technology in the healthcare industry. InstaCare is an emerging digital health startup that provides various digital health solutions. These solutions include Electronic Health Records, Telemedicine, Smart Clinics,s and Super Health App. With 850,000+ electronic health records (EHRs) provided by InstaCare. It is easy to store and manage patient data, allowing for easy access and sharing of medical information. The growth of HealthTech in Pakistan is driven by a need to improve the quality of healthcare services. This increases access to medical care in remote areas and reduces healthcare costs. Despite substantial growth, we still face challenges, including a lack of awareness and a shortage of skilled workers. In the face of challenges, there is a will to overcome them. InstaCare came into being as a result of a life lost at the hands of a medical error. Bilal’s grandfather perished due to kidney failure caused by an overdose of a drug prescribed by a well-known cardiologist in Lahore. The sad and unexpected passing resulted in emotional, physical, and financial damage to the family. Bilal worked for a prestigious IT company. A digital transformation task required him to research Pakistan’s healthcare sector. The research revealed startling facts. 99% of Pakistani doctors wrote prescriptions by hand at that time, according to a study. A mere 1% of industries are digitalized. Many hospitals implemented HIMS, but doctors did not use it. The system was used for administrative tasks like accounts and payrolls. Over 600,000 Pretenders, i.e., Fake and Unlicensed practitioners, were operating in the industry. These facts led to the same result: an unreliable healthcare system in Pakistan. InstaCare has diagnosed millions of medical cases in more than 40 cities across Pakistan. With InstaCare, providers and patients can connect in a secure environment. Health services can be discovered and booked through InstaCare. Moreover, doctors can leverage innovative Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions made possible by cloud computing and big data that empower doctors, creating the foundation for the growth of the healthcare ecosystem. Patients can use the Super Health App, a web and mobile platform. It provides direct access to 20,000+ doctors onboard, the most reputable hospitals in the area. Several features, such as the Health Store and Booking lab tests, have been made available to patients around Pakistan, reviving the medical system through digitization. Integrating technology into smart clinics can lead to cost savings by reducing the need for manual labor, improving efficiency, and reducing the number of errors. InstaCare was established to address the issue of global patient safety, particularly medical errors causing millions of deaths worldwide and shortening life expectancy. Following the country’s requirements and financial challenges, the mission is to improve the healthcare system strategically and efficiently. A more reliable, safer, and accurate healthcare system is something we strive for across the globe, and we will keep working towards it.
H.E Dr. Arif Alvi Appreciated The Efforts Of Top Digital Health Startup in Pakistan, InstaCare. The honorable President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi, invited the founding team of Pakistan’s fast-growing digital health and Top EMR company ‘InstaCare’ for a one-on-one meeting at the President House, Islamabad. The delegation was lead by the CEO InstaCare, Mr. Bilal Amjad who was accompanied by the CMO Mr. Muhammad Ahmad, and COO Ms. Ayesha Siddiq. Representatives of the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination (NHSR&C), Dr. Sabrina Durrani, and Dr. Samra Mazhar were also invited to attend this productive session. A holistic briefing of the Existing Healthcare System, its challenges & Solutions As success and credibility greatly depend on saving the lives of millions in Pakistan, so the President of Pakistan and the CEO of InstaCare discussed the key challenges including reliability, accessibility, and efficiency of the current healthcare system. H.E. Dr. Arif Alvi and the CEO InstaCare, both shared their views on enabling digital health in Pakistan by creating the right framework to support digital health initiatives including Telemedicine Services, implementation of EMR Systems, and promoting the use of electronic prescriptions. During the one-on-one meeting, the path of growth and focused on the implementation of digital health solutions in the Public sector were also discussed. President of Pakistan expressed his contentment for the efforts being made by team InstaCare to transform Pakistan’s Healthcare Ecosystem to make it Efficient & Accessible. While advising the representatives of the Ministry of NHSR&C, H.E. President of Pakistan said: “These young people are doing great work and the government should explore the possibilities of working together to provide easy access to public healthcare services.” The representatives of NHSR&C showed their interest in working with InstaCare to offer accessible healthcare services to the people of Pakistan. The digital health solution offered by InstaCare has gained great acceptance locally and internationally over the past few months especially during the COVID-19 outbreak. The technology was widely implemented by provincial governments, private organizations including healthcare startups, clinics, medium and large-scale hospitals. InstaCare offers a wide variety of digital health solutions including: Electronic Medical Records (EMR) System Telemedicine System Smart Electronic Prescriptions The honorable President of Pakistan also appreciated the various national & international recognitions and awards received by the team InstaCare that includes The Commonwealth Award, P@SHA ICT Award, Top Foreign Company Award by the Turkish Presidency Office, and many more. InstaCare and The President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi have a common vision of accessible healthcare in Pakistan. This meeting is a building stone for creating a framework for the implementation of digital health solutions in the country.