• IM VS Secure Chat
• Instant Messaging (IM)
• IM is not a secure method of electronic communication.
• IMs are sent in plain text without any encryption in real
time
• IMs are not secured, they should never be used in a
healthcare facility.
• Secure Chat Functions (SCFs)
• SCFs much like IMs in real time but provides
encryption.
• Some EHR/EMR or hospital information systems
offer secure chat as part of the application suite.