MSSC wants members on the same app
Communicating between clinicians can be challenging — especially when they work at different locations or practices and use different electronic medical records. That is why the MSSC Board of Directors is asking all MSSC members to download and utilize a free, HIPAA-certified app called Coltrain.
“This is a citywide effort to get all physicians on the same platform so they can easily reach each other and discuss cases,” said MSSC President Howard Chang, MD. “This will save time, reduce frustrations and improve patient care.”
MSSC member Sanjay Khicha, MD, created the app with another physician he met in medical school.
“My co-founder and I built Coltrain because we believe physicians can empower each other to solve the problems we face in communicating about patients,” he said.
Coltrain is not a telemedicine platform for patient communication or intended for patients. Rather, it is an app built to allow clinicians to discuss cases and share data in a team-based format.
It is independent of any EMR and works across hospitals, clinics and healthcare systems. By going directly to clinicians, the app is fast and straightforward to use.
Coltrain has its own address book and secure chats. Within cases, clinicians can be added at any time and view the entire text and image stream, removing redundancy and enabling colleagues to quickly get on the same page.
It is easy to add images and other information. Just snap photos or take videos using your phone. Users can make calls and send texts through the app.
Currently, many physicians communicate with each other about patients using iMessage or WhatsApp, which are not HIPAA compliant. Coltrain is HIPAA certified and has both data encryption and access controls. Coltrain also better protects against legal discovery than normal texting. Coltrain data is deleted after cases have been archived for 30 days.
Coltrain is rolling out an artificial intelligence tool that can summarize case discussions. It also is adding a feature that will transcribe phone calls.
Several local practices and groups are already using the app, including the Wichita Citywide Tumor Board Partnership.
“Coltrain has been a wonderful way to have a multidisciplinary approach to caring for my breast-cancer patients,” MSSC member Terri Cusick, MD, said. “The radiologist will load key images and concerns. Medical oncologists let my RN know about additional testing needed before they are scheduled for appointments. I can run a case by a radiation oncologist as we make surgical decisions, anticipating what will be recommended postoperatively. All of this is done in a HIPAA-compliant fashion.”
Khicha said the app has been well vetted, and user feedback has been positive.
“We have more than two years of real-world experience now using Coltrain to care for patients on a daily basis,” he said.
The app is available for free through app stores and works on both Android and iPhone devices, including iPads. There also is a desktop version that is fully integrated with the mobile app. Learn more at https://www.coltrain.io/.
“Coltrain is physician designed and physician focused,” Chang said. “Let’s come together as a community and all get on the Coltrain.”
ABOUT COLTRAIN
- Coltrain is a free, HIPAA-compliant, cloud-based mobile messaging platform designed for healthcare professionals. MSSC member Sanjay Khicha, MD, co-founded the app.
- Coltrain incorporates secure chat and case-based discussions to enhance patient care and collaboration.
- Physicians can securely load photos, videos or other documents to allow seamless teamwork.
- Coltrain is independent of any EMR and works across hospitals, clinics and healthcare systems.
- Coltrain is available through app stores. There is also a fully integrated desktop version.
To download, scan the QR code or visit www.coltrain.io/.