This Viewpoint discusses the best use of texting clinical information, noting that neither Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act nor the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act offer specific guidelines. Several small studies including 45 resident and 28 faculty general surgeons and 97 pediatrics hospitalists found that more than half (60%-80%) of physicians use text messaging for clinical communications. However, there is little guidance regarding appropriate use of this technology in the healthcare setting. In addition, some physicians may have the misconception that text messaging of protected health information is prohibited by law.

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