In an increasingly important trend, doctors and other healthcare providers are looking for ways to reduce the large flow of paper through their offices.  The ability to sign medical records and other documents electronically is a step towards reducing this paperwork burden.  A true digital signature is much more than simply scanning a computer image or ‘bitmap’ of a doctor’s signature and applying this image to a patient record.  Assigning an electronic signature requires a detailed mathematical authentication process that has been prescribed by HIPAA, The American Medical Association, and The American Bar Association. 

The mathematical complexities of creating and authenticating a valid electronic signature is handled automatically by AltaPoint.  At the time the doctor signs a medical record in the AltaPoint system, the doctor is asked for an additional PIN number authorizing the signature.  With the proper PIN, the doctor’s unique electronic signature is applied to the medical record.  Once the medical record has been electronically signed it cannot be modified without detection by the system.  Although a doctor is allowed to modify a patient record and then ‘re-sign’ the record, such a record will be flagged as having been modified from its original state and re-signed by the doctor.

More Information on electronic digital signatures:

HIPAA:
http://aspe.hhs.gov/admnsimp/nprm/sec10.htm

American Medical Association:
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/3136.html

American Bar Association:
http://www.abanet.org/scitech/ec/isc/digital_signature.html