(a) At a minimum, advanced communication technology must be used for all patient evaluation and treatment conducted via telemedicine. (b) Adequate security measures must be implemented to ensure that all patient communications, recordings and records remain confidential. (c) Electronic Communications.   (1) Written policies and procedures must be maintained when using electronic mail for physician-patient communications. Policies must be evaluated periodically to make sure they are up to date. Such policies and procedures must address:     (A) privacy to assure confidentiality and integrity of patient-identifiable information;     (B) health care personnel, in addition to the physician, who will process messages;     (C) hours of operation and availability;     (D) types of transactions that will be permitted electronically;     (E) required patient information to be included in the communication, such as patient name, identification number and type of transaction;     (F) archival and retrieval; and     (G) quality oversight mechanisms.   (2) All relevant patient-physician e-mail, as well as other patient-related electronic communications, must be stored and filed in the patient's medical record.   (3) Patients must be informed of alternative forms of communication for urgent matters.

Source Note: The provisions of this §174.9 adopted to be effective October 17, 2010, 35 TexReg 9085