Texting - Use of Secure Text Messaging for Patient Orders
Can secure text messaging be used to communicate patient care orders?
Any examples are for illustrative purposes only.
No. After extensive discussion weighing the pros and cons of using secure text messaging platforms to place orders, The Joint Commission and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) concluded that the use of secure text messaging for patient care orders is not permitted (see The Joint Commission’s December 2016 Perspectives article for additional information).
CMS reiterated their position on texting in a December 28, 2017, memorandum stating that CMS does not permit the texting of orders by physicians or other health care providers, regardless of the platform used. This information is available at the following website:
https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Provider-Enrollment-and-Certification/SurveyCertificationGenInfo/Downloads/Survey-and-Cert-Letter-18-10.pdf
No. After extensive discussion weighing the pros and cons of using secure text messaging platforms to place orders, The Joint Commission and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) concluded that the use of secure text messaging for patient care orders is not permitted (see The Joint Commission’s December 2016 Perspectives article for additional information).
CMS reiterated their position on texting in a December 28, 2017, memorandum stating that CMS does not permit the texting of orders by physicians or other health care providers, regardless of the platform used. This information is available at the following website:
https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Provider-Enrollment-and-Certification/SurveyCertificationGenInfo/Downloads/Survey-and-Cert-Letter-18-10.pdf
Last updated on March 17, 2021
Manual:
Behavioral Health
Chapter:
Leadership LD
