| Imagine what it must have been like for medical | | | | the most critical issues. To deal with such a |
| offices in New Orleans following the floods and | | | | scenario in the safest and most effective manner |
| damage of Hurricane Katrina. It was a few weeks | | | | possible, most of the better medical answering |
| before doctors could get back in touch with their | | | | service providers offer something called "nurse |
| patients and many important calls just never got | | | | telephone triage". This is a licensed and practicing |
| through. | | | | nurse who can speak directly with a patient to |
| Such things are beginning to be addressed through | | | | offer them support, advice and assistance with |
| nationwide medical answering service providers | | | | their medical questions or emergencies. Imagine |
| who ensure that business will remain as normal | | | | how helpful this can be during times of crisis! |
| and consistent as possible throughout any kind of | | | | Regardless of the status of any situation, |
| disaster or catastrophic weather event. | | | | however, all operators and telephone answering |
| How is this done? Modern technology actually | | | | service staff should be HIPAA compliant. This is a |
| makes it fairly simple for even a smaller medical | | | | pretty significant issue, especially during |
| practice to receive comprehensive disaster | | | | emergency situations, but also on a regular basis |
| recovery solutions. This can include uninterrupted | | | | as well. Only those providers who are prepared |
| services regardless of the condition of power and | | | | for emergencies and who are HIPAA compliant |
| telephone lines. Emergency facility partnerships are | | | | should be used for the special and specific needs |
| created by the better answering services, and | | | | of a medical office. Consider that most of the |
| these allow "standby" equipment in the event of | | | | better medical call center operations will record all |
| any kind of disaster. What this means is that all | | | | calls, keep all kinds of records and use a variety |
| calls and communications are easily, safely and | | | | of technologies - all of these must comply with |
| assuredly transferred directly into the partner | | | | state and federal regulations as well as any |
| equipment and a doctor's office never loses | | | | HIPAA rules around privacy as well. |
| contact with any patients. | | | | Modern technology can be extremely helpful, |
| Are there any other services that can be offered | | | | particularly during times of disaster, mishap and |
| for disaster recovery planning? Certainly! The best | | | | emergency, and will allow a medical professional |
| providers understand that a doctor may not be | | | | and their patients to remain in communication |
| able to handle every single call during an | | | | around the clock. |
| emergency and may be able to cope only with | | | | |