What must be ensured before sending an EKG as a pdf to a cardiologist by email?

The requirement to ensure that the email is encrypted before sending an EKG as a PDF to a cardiologist is paramount in protecting the patient's confidential health information. Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), any transmission of Protected Health Information (PHI) electronic form must be safeguarded against unauthorized access.

Encryption converts the email and its contents into a form that can only be read by someone who has the correct decryption key, ensuring that if the email is intercepted during transmission, the data remains secure and unreadable to unauthorized parties. This approach is crucial in maintaining patient privacy and complying with legal and ethical responsibilities regarding sensitive health information.

Other considerations may include how the email is sent or what documents are included, but only the encryption specifically addresses the protection of PHI in transit.