The call to eliminate fax machines in healthcare in order to improve data interoperability is common. Many within the healthcare industry see fax machines as a barrier to seamless information exchange. However, it is important to remember that some healthcare organizations, such as post-acute care facilities and substance use disorder clinics, rely on fax machines because they were not eligible for EHR incentives and cannot afford the costs associated with EHR adoption.
Without recognizing the necessity of fax machines for these “digital have-nots” and investing in technology that bridges the gap between digital fax and EHR systems, we will struggle to advance health equity. Health equity is dependent on tech equity.
While many in the healthcare industry advocate for eliminating fax machines, it is important to distinguish between traditional paper fax machines and digital fax technology. Digital fax remains a crucial method of communication for many healthcare organizations.
The disdain for fax machines was evident at recent industry conferences, with some leaders expressing frustration with fax technology while others acknowledged its importance for efficient work practices.
As the healthcare industry continues to promote new communication protocols and standards, it is essential to find ways to integrate digital fax technology into interoperability efforts. Utilizing artificial intelligence, such as natural language processing and machine learning, can transform handwritten notes and unstructured data from digital fax into structured data that can be easily consumed by any system.
By upleveling digital fax technology with AI, healthcare organizations can bridge the gap between digital haves and have-nots, ensuring that all stakeholders have access to the information needed to make informed decisions about care and treatment. This investment in tech equity is crucial for achieving health equity in the industry. Antes de unirse a la Compañía en octubre de 2022, se desempeñó como Líder de Estrategia y Operaciones de Ventas en Google Alemania a partir de 2020 y como Director de Ingresos de la Empresa en la antigua empresa matriz J2 Global Inc. desde 2018 hasta finales de 2019, iniciando la estrategia de mercado y canal de Consenso. Johnny recibió su diploma en negocios de la Universidad de Múnich en Alemania, basándose en su educación en la Escuela de Comercio McIntire de la Universidad de Virginia y RBC del Colegio de William y Mary.
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