San Francisco-based Osmind announced today that its electronic health record system for mental health clinicians has integrated Zoom virtual visits within its technology platform as part of the company's regulatory-compliant ISV Partner Program. 

WHY IT MATTERS

Within the Osmind EHR, clinicians can access a suite of digital tools to meet high-patient demand, like progress monitoring and journaling tools. 

The addition of Integrated Zoom virtual visits enables mental health providers to expand treatment options for vulnerable patients, including those with moderate-to-severe mental health conditions where patients may not have the ability to leave their homes, according to the company's announcement.

Clinicians create a virtual mental health appointment using Zoom's secure, HIPAA-compliant video technology, share that link with the patient and launch the online meeting directly from the Osmind patient app. 

Providers do not need to manage additional vendor overhead, and patients do not need to install new technology on their phones or computers.

"The future of mental health care requires omnichannel care where telehealth plays a role in a larger continuum of treatments," said Dr. Carlene MacMillan, vice president of clinical innovation at Osmind, in a statement. 

"As clinicians, we have a professional obligation to only use telehealth platforms that are HIPAA-compliant," she added. "Zoom offers a strong product with a powerful user experience over alternatives. We are thrilled to partner to offer their industry-leading solution."

THE LARGER TREND

With the COVID-19 pandemic – especially thanks to an expansion of Medicare telehealth benefits during the public health emergency – driving increased use of virtual psychiatric care, many behavioral health providers ventured into telemedicine and onboarded digital telehealth platforms. 

Early during the pandemic, the HHS Office for Civil Rights also promised enforcement discretion with regard to HIPAA compliance for telehealth communications, enabling providers to more widely use tools such as Zoom, Skype and Google Meet for remote consults during the outbreak.

With Federal Communications Commission funding granted at the start of the pandemic, the Portland Community Health Center bought Zoom licenses to connect with patients virtually.   

"Our team’s ability to use Zoom to stay connected to our patients was vital to continuing to support our mission of providing high-quality, patient-centered healthcare that is accessible, affordable and culturally sensitive," Ann Tucker, CEO of Portland, Maine-based Community Health Center, told Healthcare IT News in 2020.

Other EHR vendors, including Oracle Cerner and Epic, have already integrated Zoom with their platforms.

ON THE RECORD

"With the integration of Zoom technology and the Osmind EHR, we are together addressing a significant need in healthcare: Clinics can now treat the most at-risk patients securely from where they’re most comfortable with a click of a button, revolutionizing access to care," said Matt Cipolla, ISV Partner account manager with Zoom Video Communications.

Andrea Fox is senior editor of Healthcare IT News.
Email: afox@himss.org
Healthcare IT News is a HIMSS publication.