Introduction

In recent times, a majority of health care institutions have adopted the use of technology as a means for fast tracking, improving the patient care as well as lowering health care costs. However, this technology has not only improved the delivery of care but also has a number of limitations. For instance, it is associated with violation of patients’ privacy and care. These technologies include smartphones and social media platforms such as Skype, Facebook, and Twitter which to a great extent have spearheaded health care provision to great lengths. Smartphones are currently important in healthcare since they offer an easy way of communication whereby patients can easily engage their physicians. In addition, patients can easily use the smartphones for booking their appointments with their respective doctors.

Conversely, social media has created a platform for patients to obtain health care easily and at an affordable cost. For example, through Skype patients can have a clinical session with the physicians hence reducing the travelling costs and time spent visiting a health center. The same platform can be used by patients to reach clinicians during emergency services. However, it is important to note the other side of this technology whereby it has grave impacts linked to professional ethics, confidentiality, and legal requirements due to data security as well as patients’ privacy.

HIPAA requirements and the use of cell phones

The HIPAA has guidelines which address the use of smartphones phones by clinicians when delivering care. The devices include any gadget that receives, stores, or transmits Protected Health Information (PHI). HIPAA guidelines stipulate that mobile devices that are used in health centers should be secured and have minimum risk for hacking. This makes it easy and safe to