How remote eSignatures enhance efficiency in digital healthcare

Across Europe, healthcare systems are pressured to become more efficient and cost-effective. As countries increasingly enhance their legacy systems with digital services like electronic prescriptions and electronic health records (EHRs), the need for secure and efficient signing methods has become more critical. While some regions still rely on outdated card-based systems, remote signing solutions are crucial to unlocking the full potential of efficient, convenient, and secure digital healthcare.

Signature cards are outdated

Electronic signatures, especially qualified electronic signatures (QES), provide the highest security and legal standing, making them indispensable in the healthcare sector. While card-based systems have been the traditional method for securing digital transactions, they have significant limitations.

Card-based signature systems require physical signature cards and card readers, which can be cumbersome and inconvenient for healthcare providers. These systems often necessitate additional hardware, such as card readers, and require users always to carry their signature cards. This adds complexity and increases the risk of operational inefficiencies and potential hardware failures.

The efficiency and flexibility of remote signing

In contrast, remote signing solutions offer a more streamlined and user-friendly approach. With remote signatures, healthcare providers can trigger e-signatures using existing devices, such as smartphones, without needing additional hardware. This flexibility significantly reduces the operational burden on healthcare providers and enhances the overall efficiency of healthcare processes.

Trust Service Providers offer a state-of-the-art remote signing solution that eliminates the need for physical cards and readers. By leveraging cloud-based infrastructure, those solutions ensure that signatures are secure and easily accessible from anywhere. This approach aligns perfectly with the needs of modern digital healthcare systems across Europe.

Real-world benefits of remote signing in healthcare

The shift from card-based solutions to remote signing offers numerous benefits for healthcare providers and patients alike:

• Reduced operational costs: Healthcare organizations can significantly reduce their hardware and maintenance costs by eliminating the need for physical cards and readers.
• Improved user experience: Remote signing simplifies the signing process, allowing healthcare professionals to focus more on patient care and less on administrative tasks.
• Enhanced security: With remote signing, signature data is stored in secure, geo-redundant environments, providing a higher level of security compared to local card-based systems.

These benefits make remote signing an ideal solution for healthcare providers across Europe. It enables them to meet regulatory requirements while also improving operational efficiency.

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Learning from leading digital health systems in Europe

Countries like Sweden and Estonia have already made significant strides in digital healthcare by adopting advanced electronic signature and identity solutions. These nations demonstrate how integrating remote signing in to a broader digital ecosystem can lead to more efficient healthcare systems, benefiting providers and patients.

By following these examples, other European countries can accelerate their digital healthcare transformation and realize the full potential of remote signing and electronic signatures.

The power of pan-European partnerships

The digital healthcare landscape in Europe is diverse, with many stakeholders offering specialized services. For digital initiatives to succeed, collaboration between healthcare providers, technology companies, and regulators is essential. Swisscom Trust Services is well-positioned to partner with these stakeholders, providing easy-to-integrate remote signing solutions that enhance existing systems without adding complexity.