| People like options. We want to have choices, and | | | | Speaking of disasters, it is critical for a doctor and |
| this ranges from menus in restaurants to service | | | | patient to be able to effectively reach one another |
| plans for phones or other items. When a business | | | | during times of disaster or emergency. When phone |
| requires professional assistance, it too wants a few | | | | lines are down or electricity has failed, the medical call |
| choices. This is the reason that the best medical | | | | center should still be able to keep an office, practice |
| answering service companies are making a host of | | | | or other medical agency open for public |
| features, options and services available to all of their | | | | communication. This means that in addition to being |
| clients. | | | | able to accurately and legally handle all messaging and |
| What does a doctor's office, hospital, clinic or | | | | documentation, the call center should also have |
| pharmacy require other than someone to record and | | | | disaster recovery solutions. |
| forward a message? Consider that each and every | | | | This is easily achieved using modern technologies and |
| one of these entities must always be in compliance | | | | can include "redundant" phone lines that include |
| with HIPAA regulations. When they decide to enlist | | | | wireless, satellite and traditional land lines that can all |
| the help of a telephone answering service they must | | | | maintain a client's operations regardless of the |
| be sure that the staff and protocols followed will be | | | | weather or situation. It can also include standby |
| up to state and federal standards. | | | | partnerships with other agencies that will be able to |
| This means that an operator will know how to deal | | | | support operations through telephony and electronic |
| with the sensitive and personal information they must | | | | services. Finally it may mean that a medical answering |
| handle during a telephone transaction with a patient. | | | | service has access to high-power generators, |
| It will also mean that they are well aware of how to | | | | alternate offices and offsite data storage. |
| deal with an emergency situation; one in which they | | | | Many modern medical practices are also happy to |
| may be required to repeat information from a doctor | | | | supplement their existing office staff with the work |
| to a caller. The medical answering service company | | | | of a triage nurse. This can be provided through a |
| will also need to provide many services associated | | | | medical call center which has onsite or contracted |
| with HIPAA compliance, such as data backup, | | | | teams of specially trained and HIPAA compliant |
| recordings and disaster services. | | | | nurses to offer guidance and advice when necessary. |