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HIN Sign: The data-saving eSigning standard for the Swiss healthcare sector
HIN stands for secure and data protection-compliant communication
- Hundreds of thousands of signed medical documents
- Comprehensive coverage: certificates of incapacity to work, patient information forms as well as apprenticeship and special purchase contracts
- HIN relies on the white-label version of our Privacy-First eSigning solution
Get to know the customer
Health Info Net AG (HIN) protects patient data in the digital world. For healthcare professionals in Switzerland, HIN is the standard for secure communication and the trustworthy handling of sensitive data. HIN was founded in 1996 on the initiative of the FMH and the Ärztekasse. Since then, HIN has been networking healthcare professionals in a simple, secure, and personal manner.
At a glance
HIN and Certifaction have been collaborating since 2020. HIN Sign utilizes a white-label version of Certifaction, available both as a web app and through direct integration into practice and hospital information systems (PIS and HIS) via API.
HIN and Certifaction have since then successfully launched the e-prescription Switzerland service (issuing potential of up to 30 million prescriptions per year) and are working on further joint projects.
Maximum data and document security
Healthcare professionals sign documents securely and efficiently
Innovative, specially developed features
Digital Twin as well as single sign-on and signature based on HIN eID
More than 2.7 million signatures
The figures speak for themselves: the signature solution is very easy to use
"The cooperation during the implementation was excellent, as Certifaction supported us in all aspects in a cooperative, uncomplicated manner."
The challenge:
HIN initiated the collaboration with Certifaction to provide the HIN community with an eSignature solution, enabling hundreds of thousands of documents to be signed electronically without incurring transaction costs.
For HIN, this was a significant step towards the digitization of the Swiss healthcare system.
The primary focus was on improving the workflow for healthcare staff, allowing them to electronically sign medical documents, certificates of incapacity for work, and prescriptions in a data protection-compliant and forgery-proof manner, thereby saving time and money.
Ensuring data protection was particularly crucial, given the highly sensitive nature of the data processed in the healthcare sector. HIN has established itself as the standard for confidential communication.
In a second step, HIN Sign Professional was developed. The hospitals wanted to use their own branding for the e-signature platform and to have the option of using their own certificates and seals. They wanted to have employment contracts signed in a legally valid manner, even by staff who do not yet have a HIN eID.
Furthermore, the hospitals demanded a customizable user and role administration, deletion deadlines and a detailed usage report.
Customer requirements at a glance
- The top priority for the entire application: Data minimisation
- Document security: No insight into sensitive medical documents*
- Scalable flat-rate pricing model for millions of documents without additional costs per signature
- Single sign-on (SSO) and signature based on HIN eID
- Seamless integration into existing applications (PIS and HIS systems)
- Forgery protection for both digital and printed documents
- Partnership-based product development with local and agile partners
"What Certifaction has developed is the next generation of eSigning, which is far better than any previous signature solution in terms of security, Digital Twin, life cycle updates, and data privacy."
The solution
With Certifaction, HIN found a partner on an equal footing. Certifaction brought a number of important qualities to the table:
- The will and expertise to develop an innovative solution that digitises and revolutionises the healthcare sector
- Flexibility and joint planning of the solution implementation – HIN was heavily involved and there was a close dialogue
- In contrast to the large eSignature providers, Certifaction had a maximum interest in making HIN a successful partner and HIN Sign a success
Within a short space of time, HIN Sign was launched, followed by the e-prescription Switzerland service. “The collaboration was very solution-orientated and friendly,” says Christoph Weber, Product Manager of HIN Sign and E-Rezept Schweiz Service.
Technical implementation
HIN evaluated various partners and chose Certifaction, a provider that perfectly guarantees the protection of sensitive data thanks to its privacy-first technology. The documents are signed on the user’s end device (also known as local processing), which ensures that neither Certifaction nor HIN have access to the documents. If a document is to be signed by other parties, the document is encrypted locally. Certifaction only keeps the key for as long as necessary. In addition, the trust service provider supplies an electronic seal that is immediately invalidated if the document is tampered with.
Digital Twin
Certifaction has another innovative feature – the Digital Twin. The Digital Twin builds a bridge between printed documents and their digital versions.
Digital originals can be viewed directly on the screen, their authenticity can be verified and the manipulation of both printed and digital documents can be ruled out and prevented.
You can also download a securely stored digital copy to your own device. You can find more information here.
From developers, for developers
The simplest API for signing and identifying
The results
"The introduction of an easy-to-use electronic signature in the medical environment is an essential step towards supporting digitalisation in the healthcare sector."
Rising user and utilisation figures
Since its launch, HIN Sign has grown steadily. Today, more than 14,000 healthcare professionals are registered, and more than 2.7 million signatures have already been made with the solution.
Usage keeps climbing: from around 3,600 signatures per month in early 2023 to around 60,000 at the end of 2024, and more than 150,000 per month today. Medical professionals sign certificates of incapacity to work, patient information forms and contracts in just a few clicks, while sensitive patient data stays protected at all times thanks to local processing.
HIN Sign Professional
HIN Sign Professional is a further development of the HIN Sign service for large institutions (hospitals, Telmed providers, group practices, etc.). The fee-based service offers the option of using your own signature certificate or seal as well as branding in the design of the respective institution.
The service provides shared signature spaces for the individual departments (see Teamspaces) so that signature processes can be managed as a team. Furthermore, people without HIN eID can also sign with a guest account, for example for the legally valid signing of supplier or employment contracts.
User and role administration can be carried out centrally by the hospital or institution. In the settings, admins can also adjust the deletion periods for documents and download detailed reporting.
Advantages for medical staff
Healthcare professionals can use eSignatures to simply sign most documents (with the exception of care placements or anaesthetic prescriptions), which makes the day-to-day work of medical professionals much easier. Workflows are more efficient and media disruptions are avoided.
Maximum data and document security
Intuitive handling, even for first-time users
Fast implementation at eye level
Innovative Digital Twin
Increased efficiency
Seamless integration
The HIN Sign service can be easily integrated into the PIS and HIS of individual medical representatives. HIN is in contact with many providers to ensure this integration is seamless and uncomplicated.
Further co-operations: E-prescription and more
HIN and Certifaction have had a close partnership since 2019, which has resulted in numerous successful solutions to date. HIN also uses an electronic signature in connection with the e-prescription Switzerland service.
Here, the eSignature is used to sign the prescription data in an unalterable and therefore forgery-proof manner. The solution is therefore designed for a very high volume, as around 30 million e-prescriptions will be issued in Switzerland every year in future.
The result in figures
All benefits at a glance
Maximum data and document security
Simple integration via API
Modern white-label solution
Development of custom features
Single sign-on (SSO) based on HIN eID
Signature based on HIN eID
Partnership-based product development
Local and agile eSigning provider
Innovative features such as the Digital Twin
Easy-to-use signing function
Use via web app or integration
Easy entry into digitalisation
Custom hospital / institutional branding*
Sign as guest without HIN eID*
Your own seals and teamspaces*
*available with HIN Sign Professional
Your path to the future
Join leading organizations
Contact us now to find out how we can help your company make your signing, certification and verification processes digital, intuitive and future-proof.
FAQs
Our answers to the most frequently asked questions
Are Certifaction's eSignatures legally valid?
Yes. Our eSignatures are legally valid and support all major global standards (incl. eIDAS, ZertES, UETA, ESIGN).
In addition, you can choose the signature type that suits you best: from the cost-effective simple eSignature to the qualified eSignature (QES).
What is the Zero Document Knowledge technology and what are the advantages?
Unlike most competing providers, Certifaction offers the option of signing documents without ever seeing their content. The documents are processed locally on the customer side and encrypted when using the web app.
In the case of API integration, a local gateway takes over the encryption. In the event of a hack, the file would therefore be encrypted and unreadable. We also ensure that the documents are stored on ISO 27001-certified servers in Switzerland or an EU country.
Is there a white-labeled version of Certifaction?
Yes, Certifaction offers a customised white label option for partners. This enables the seamless integration of own products such as eIDs and certificates. The white label solution gives partners complete control over the platform. As an integration partner, we help open up new revenue streams and maximise business potential by providing tailored solutions for individual needs.
How much integration work is involved?
The Certifaction WebApp can be used immediately in the browser. The eSignature solution can also be integrated quickly via an API connection. Alternatively, the solution can be used as a white label product with full personalisation. Depending on the requirements, this is ready within a few weeks.
Why should I choose Certification over an on-premises solution?
What makes Certification stand out from the competition?
Certifaction is characterised by its innovative technology and clear focus on partnerships. Our customers value us as a trustworthy European partner that not only offers close cooperation and the highest security standards, but also enables the integration of its own products through white label solutions. This opens up new business opportunities and additional revenue streams for our partners. Our solution offers:
- maximum security through Zero Document Knowledge
- innovative features such as the Digital Twin (making digitally signed documents verifiable even when printed out), bulk signing, Teamspaces (rooms with shared signature processes) and guest signatures without registration
- Signature requests in under a minute and smooth onboarding in just 15 minutes thanks to intuitive operation
- smooth identifications without app download within a very short time
- a recommendation score (NPS) of +90
Do you have any further questions?