KIM-Mail – A Secure Communication Channel for Medical Data
December 18, 2024
Every day, we are in close contact with colleagues, who are sending their patients sample to our laboratory. While much of this communication takes place by phone, we are also seeing a steady increase in written inquiries via e-mail. However, since standard e-mail is not suitable for exchanging sensitive patient data, and as part of our effort to replace outdated analog methods like faxing, we have introduced KIM-Mail as an additional option to the MLL portal for diagnostic reports.
What is KIM-Mail and How Does It Benefit Collaboration with MLL?
KIM-Mail is an application developed by gematik for secure communication within the medical sector. It allows fast, reliable, and above all secure exchange of messages and documents via encrypted e-mail through the Telematics Infrastructure. Most users access KIM-Mail directly through their primary system, such as a hospital information system or practice management system.
Only registered, authenticated healthcare providers—such as medical practices, outpatient centers, or hospitals—are eligible to use KIM-Mail. Since October 1, 2021, all medical practices in Germany are required to have a KIM e-mail address. These registered user groups are listed in a central directory, where they can be located via a search function. Importantly, e-mails sent via KIM-Mail can only be delivered to other KIM users or KIM e-mail addresses. This ensures that sensitive medical data is never accidentally sent to unauthorized recipients due to a typo or other error.
For us as a medical laboratory, KIM-Mail offers two major advantages when communicating with our clients:
Secure Document Exchange: We can send reports as encrypted PDF files, and our clients can share data with us, such as prior reports or blood test results.
Encrypted Communication of Sensitive Data: KIM-Mail enables secure exchanges of case-specific queries, including full patient details, without compromising confidentiality.
Setting Up KIM-Mail with MLL
In our opinion KIM-Mail is an essential and effective tool for enhancing daily collaboration. Our priority is to enable a quick and seamless exchange of critical information while ensuring the secure transfer of patient data.
To set up KIM-Mail communication between your practice or hospital and MLL, all we need is your KIM e-mail address. If you are unsure of your KIM-Mail address, please contact your system administrator and provide it to us afterwards.
Additionally, you can specify how you would like to use KIM-Mail:
Only for receiving lab reports, or for broader communication purposes, such as case-specific questions or order-related inquiries.
Your current method of receiving lab reports will not be discontinued immediately, even after KIM-Mail is set up. We will only switch exclusively to KIM-Mail upon your request, and only once it is confirmed that all relevant team members in your practice have access to the KIM mailbox.
References (in German): gematik Fachportal, German Medical Association
Contact
Are you interested in using KIM-Mail for communication with MLL or have questions about it? Please feel free to contact us via e-mail at befundportal@mll.com or call us at +49 (0) 89 99017-551.
»If you have any questions about this article or its contents, please do not hesitate to contact us!«
Julia Hennig