12 Best Healthcare GRC software

With 707 publicly disclosed data breaches across healthcare firms in 2022, this industry was the prime target for data security gaps. Sadly, this is part of a trend that has been on the rise ever since 2019 in the healthcare sector. 

Such events have introduced new risks and operational challenges, fueling the necessity to implement effective Healthcare Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) measures. These ensure streamlined operations and adherence to stringent regulations and industry standards. 

GRC software has now become a vital arsenal for healthcare organizations seeking to fortify their compliance posture and bolster their resilience against emerging threats. 

From managing regulatory requirements to optimizing internal processes, these software solutions offer comprehensive frameworks to navigate the intricate terrain of healthcare governance. By streamlining multiple processes, healthcare GRC significantly reduces the likelihood of data breaches and violations.

With abundant options available, selecting the right GRC software tailored to the unique needs of healthcare providers is essential for achieving compliance and operational excellence.

This article outlines the top 12 Healthcare GRC software solutions and how they can address your requirements.

What is healthcare GRC Software? 

Healthcare GRC software is a system designed to assist healthcare organizations in handling complex tasks like regulation, risk management, and governance to enhance overall patient care.

This software typically provides a centralized platform for healthcare providers to streamline and automate various GRC processes, including:

Governance: The software establishes strategic planning and control, defines roles and responsibilities, enables transparent communication, and enforces consequences for violating rules, ensuring robust management of sensitive information.

Risk Management: Designed for healthcare, the software allows the identification of risks and threats, offering efficient risk management strategies to mitigate emerging risks, specifically focusing on the protection of patient data.

Compliance: The technology enables healthcare GRC lead management by addressing the involved regulatory provisions like HIPAA. A comprehensive GRC (Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance) system translates to adherence to regulations, patient rights, and cybersecurity safeguards.

Implementing enterprise GRC for healthcare will uplift the governance policies of organizations, ensure compliance with stringent regulations, and enable timely checking of risk-related problems.

Also read: A Beginner’s Guide to GRC Framework

Role of Healthcare GRC Software

Do you know that 44% of organizations intend to implement or upgrade their GRC systems? Healthcare GRC software simplifies intricate tasks like creating procedures for the secure handling of PHI, streamlines workflows, and minimizes human errors to avoid non-compliance that costs hefty penalties. Companies find healthcare GRC software essential for:

Improved data security

Healthcare GRC tools enable you to implement the necessary security measures to safeguard sensitive patient information. They provide insights and real-time monitoring capabilities about encryption, access, and storage of patient records. This ensures that only authorized individuals can access sensitive healthcare data, reducing the risk of breaches and unintended access.

Automates complex processes

Healthcare GRC software is instrumental in simplifying complex tasks associated with compliance management. These solutions automate various processes, including policy creation and distribution, risk assessments, incident reporting, and regulatory tracking. By automating these tasks, healthcare providers save time and resources while ensuring accuracy and consistency in compliance-related activities.

Enhance compliance efficiency 

With regulations and laws getting more complex, compliance software can help organizations streamline and simplify the steps in the process and aid with documentation. This compliance-first approach also helps build trust with stakeholders and investors. 

12 best healthcare GRC software

Incorporating healthcare GRC software is crucial for your organization, yet navigating the myriad available software options can be challenging. Here’s a curated list of the best healthcare GRC software based on their key features and capabilities in addressing the unique challenges of the healthcare industry:

1.  Sprinto

Sprinto is a comprehensive compliance automation solution that simplifies the healthcare Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) requirements. The software seamlessly integrates with your existing tech stack, consolidates the management of internal security controls from a unified dashboard, and enables effective GRC reporting.

It helps automate continuous monitoring of your healthcare compliance requirements and ensures that you effortlessly uphold the safeguards mandated by different healthcare standards.

Sprinto’s commitment to a user-friendly GRC program extends to out-of-the-box policy support featuring customizable security & privacy policy templates. With automated workflows, you can quickly place different compliance programs on autopilots.

The software features a rich environment containing healthcare compliance training modules, vendor and GRC risk management modules, access management modules, and disaster recovery plans for a comprehensive and complete compliance approach.

Facilitating the certification journey, Sprinto expedites external audits with automated evidence collection. Going beyond mere compliance, continuous control monitoring ensures adherence to secure GRC practices around the clock. Sprinto emerges as a cost-effective GRC solution, seamlessly navigating the complexities of healthcare GRC and fostering a robust compliance framework.

Your Compliance Cost, Revealed in Minutes. Calculate Now!

Key features

• Workflow automation for repetitive tasks and processes
• Risk assessment capabilities to mitigate potential risks and threats
• Supports compliance automation of different healthcare regulations such as HIPAA and HITRUST, managing compliance across various frameworks, including ISO27001, SOC2, PCI DSS, NIST, FedRAMP.
• Consolidated reports, analytics, and evidence collection to fast-track audits
• Incident management and disaster recovery planning modules
• Effective third-party vendor risk management capabilities 
• Actionable, real-time, insightful analytics from a single dashboard
• Continuous control monitoring to ensure real-time compliance
• Automated alerting mechanisms when controls fail

Pros

• Automated workflow for simplified GRC implementation
• Real-time vulnerability and threat detection
• Risk assessment questionnaires with real-time risk scoring
• Automated evidence logging to prove compliance
• Excellent user-friendly interface.
• Real-time incident alerts
• A 24/7 support team

Cons

• Designed specifically for cloud-based enterprises, not tailored for on-premise businesses.

G2 Rating: 4.8/5

2. Compliancy Group Healthcare Compliance

Compliancy Group is a comprehensive software that offers compliance programs and initiatives designed specifically for today’s healthcare. The platform provides a toolkit for advanced program customization, policies and procedures, risk assessments, and risk management analytics to enhance your compliance objectives. 

Key features

• Customizable tools kit
• Risk management analytics
• HIPAA Training videos and modules for employees
• Incident management module to report incidents

Pros

• Advanced customization
• User-friendly tool kit
• Audit response program
• Live compliance support
• Effective documentation and policy generation
  

Cons

• Inadequate reporting functionalities
• Learning curve

G2 Rating: 4.8/5

3. AuditBoard

Auditboard is a GRC management tool that integrates audit, risk, and compliance to help businesses make strategic decisions efficiently. It improves visibility into security gaps and compliance status through interactive dashboards. it automates assessments to build an effective compliance program.

Key features

• Customizable workflows to automate repetitive compliance tasks
• Audit-ready report generation
• Collaboration tools to communicate and manage compliance effectively
• Customizable risk assessment modules
• Audit management features

Pros

• Good report management features
• Project management and collaboration features
• Automated evidence collection for external audits
• Customizable security and compliance modules
  

Cons

• Needs extensive customer support
• Need cross-integration features

G2 Rating: 4.7/5

4. StandardFusion

StandardFusion’s GRC platform is designed to provide organizations with the visibility, centralization, and collaboration needed to manage information security risks effectively. Its user-friendly design favors SMBs, while advanced features make it suitable for enterprises.

Key features

• Flexible and configurable solutions for improved compliance programs.
• Facilitates internal and external audits and generates detailed reports.
• Handles multiple compliance frameworks 

Pros

• Integrates with various third-party software.
• Comprehensive reporting capabilities.
• Manage compliance across multiple standards, such as HIPAA, ISO, etc.
  

Cons

• Only available in enterprise packages
• Steep learning curve

G2 Rating: 4.6/5

5. Corporater’s Integrated GRC Platform

Corporater’s Integrated GRC Platform is a comprehensive solution designed to streamline GRC processes within organizations. The platform enables you to effectively manage governance structures, identify and mitigate risks, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements—all from a single, integrated platform.

This platform offers a shift from a compliance-centric focus to a risk-driven strategy. Aligned with business performance and strategy execution, this unified platform eliminates silos, providing outcomes centered around compliance, performance, and operations.

Key features

• Individual and executive dashboard views for complete visibility
• Automated policy development and regulatory change management.
• Compliance risk management program aligned with strategic objectives.
• Real-time risk monitoring and insights

Pros

• Flexible integration based on evolving requirements.
• Flexibility to support specific business processes.
• Comprehensive dashboard view
  

Cons

• Limited features.
• Deep learning curve during initial implementation.

6. MedTrainer

MedTrainer is a unified healthcare software system that optimizes workflows, streamlines training, and enables effective credentialing and document management.  The software creates a more holistic, real-time view of your security and compliance status.

Key features

• Access control management
• Remediation management
• Automated escalation workflows
• Document and policy management

Pros

• Automated workflows
• Learning management system with healthcare training courses
• Automated logging
  

Cons

• Difficulty in implementation
• The test sometimes has functionality issues 

G2 Rating: 4.5/5

7. Healthicity

Healthicity is a healthcare compliance software that streamlines compliance and audit processes. The platform facilitates risk identification, employee training and learning management, and incident management, offering insight into security and compliance status.

Key features

• Comprehensive incident management from reporting to closure
• Insightful analytics for risk identification and mitigation
• Training courses and compliance documents for employee education
• Automated audit management for efficient compliance tracking 

Pros

• Customizable dashboard for centralized compliance management
• Built-in learning management system for employee training
• Advanced reporting and analytics functionalities
  

Cons

• Performing tasks are complex
• Setup and integration are confusing.

G2 Rating: 4.3/5

8. MedStack

MedStack is a compliance solution designed for digital health companies and services like telemedicine, mental health services, and smart medical devices. MedStack ensures security and compliance requirements, particularly in protecting patients’ health information.  It helps you implement HIPAA controls and has ready-to-use privacy policies to streamline compliance efforts.

Also check: Top 10 HIPAA Consultants you need to know in 2024

Key features

• Security and privacy compliance management
• Real-time audit process
• Evidence generation tool to quickly get certification
• Disaster recovery engine to deal with incidents
• Real-time alerts about security events and policy updates

Pros

• Integration with other security frameworks
• Good support and quick onboarding
• Easy-to-use compliance platform
• Compliance bot to gather evidence
  

Cons

• Limited support for different cloud services
• Limited integrations with other security applications

G2 Rating: 4.7/5

9. Verge Health Converge

Verge Health’s Converge is a healthcare GRC solution that helps with enterprise risk management and organizational compliance and protects patient/employee safety. The software helps protect organizations from policy violations. This integrated solution allows organizations to manage safety protocols easily and complete compliance tasks.

Key features

• Strategic advisory services
• A comprehensive dashboard to manage all security and compliance tasks
• Risk assessment capabilities
• Real-time integration with CMS

Pros

• Mobile application to monitor risk and compliance status.
• Implementation is simple
• Task management features
• Accreditation and credentialing
  

Cons

• Lack of automation features

10. HIPAA Secure Now

HIPAA Secure Now is a healthcare compliance solution offering a suite of applications complemented by a team of experts to ensure the secure handling of PHI. Its guided approach facilitates the achievement and maintenance of compliance, featuring training tools that enhance employee compliance awareness.

Key features

• Automation features for seamless HIPAA compliance
• Dedicated training tools and modules for comprehensive employee education
• Automated network vulnerability scans for robust security.
• Inclusion of a risk management module
• Analytics and reporting features for insightful compliance tracking

Pros

• Security risk assessment 
• Employee vulnerability assessment
• Employee training modules for enhanced awareness

Cons

• Reporting functionalities need improvement.
• Need extensive support

11. CloudApper HIPAA Ready

CloudApper HIPAA Ready is a comprehensive healthcare GRC solution that streamlines organizational processes and automates compliance tasks. The tool offers customizable policy templates for seamless compliance documentation and features a self-assessment dashboard to ensure readiness for audits.

Features

• Customization of policies and procedures in alignment with healthcare standards
• Inclusion of a security risk analysis module.
• Automated reminders for crucial compliance tasks
• Incident tracking and management capabilities
• Automated evidence logging for robust documentation

Pros

• Centralized monitoring and management capabilities
• Mobile app with remote access for enhanced flexibility
• Dashboard offering insights to track compliance progress

Cons

• Limited risk analysis functionality

G2 Rating: 4.3/5

12. SafetyCulture 

SafetyCulture is an efficient healthcare GRC platform offering compliance management and corrective action capabilities. Tailored for healthcare organizations, the program ensures adherence to specific healthcare regulations and industry standards. The platform also facilitates inspections, issue capture, and task management.

Features

• Automated risk management features
• Centralized platform for comprehensive reporting analytics
• Collaboration features for real-time communication
• Customizable training modules

Pros

• Customizable training modules for tailored education
• Automated security checks for ongoing compliance
  

Cons

• Reporting functionalities need improvement

G2 Rating: 4.4/5

Challenges of Healthcare GRC

Navigating the complex landscape of Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) in the healthcare industry presents numerous challenges for organizations. 

From stringent regulatory requirements to data security risks and resource constraints, healthcare GRC efforts face multifaceted obstacles that demand careful attention and strategic planning. 

A few of these challenges are listed below:

Perception as a reactive measure: Sometimes, it is viewed as a responsive approach implemented only after matters have taken a negative turn. Therefore, it is important to change the way we look at GRC because it is more than identifying and detecting issues and is a tool that predicts and prevents issues so that healthcare organizations can manage the risks they take by design.

Manual processes and lack of automation: Healthcare organizations deal with many manual control (GRC) procedures, which take a lot of time and resources. Thus, the burden of manual auditing will be reduced, and efficiency will improve overall.

Building the case for GRC investment: GRC investment may face some difficulties when convincing organizations to make that kind of investment. On the other hand, it is important to realize that business keeps changing, and what may seem like safe ground now could become a big issue in the future. GRC becomes progressively immensely significant as technology develops and more regulations appear, which are the main significant elements of current business practices.

Integration with Enterprise Risk Management (ERM): GRC usually achieves the best results when embedded in the larger enterprise risk management (ERM) system. The current practice of ERM, however, is fragmented into individual departments where the coordination is neglected. This way, GRC can be a tool to integrate into ERM efforts. With that, healthcare organizations will be able to have a wider view of risks, which will give them smarter decisions on enterprise resource allocation.

Benefits of Healthcare GRC Automation

Despite facing challenges, the healthcare organization has recognized that the automation of GRC significantly impacts compliance-related work, and its influence on risk management should not be underestimated. Here are some of its advantages:

All-inclusive coverage with privacy: In the healthcare field, GRC automation guarantees a reliable strategy for establishing and maintaining strong security measures that ensure patient data remains confidential, intact, and accessible all the time. Once you implement complete automation, your GRC practices especially become more transparent to audit teams. This way, you can comply with regulations such as HIPAA.

Cost-effective: By minimizing manual processes involved in identifying and mitigating risks in healthcare operations, GRC frameworks provide an orderly approach to risk management, which in turn helps in maintaining their financial status. It reduces costs, improving operational efficiency and freeing resources for more impactful activities.

Ongoing compliance: Adherence to complicated evolving healthcare regulations becomes possible through GRC compliance, thus ensuring that industry standards such as HIPAA, HITECH Act, etc, are upheld by organizations. Such proactive adherence to regulations minimizes financial penalties or legal entanglements that may arise from non-compliance with these laws related to health systems.

Effective risk management: GRC adopts a holistic approach to governance since it integrates risk management and compliance to raise effectiveness. The system’s built-in security controls facilitate swift and efficient incident mitigation, contributing to faster responses and improved risk management outcomes.

Efficient audits: The GRC system has centralized documentation showcasing evidence collection and reporting platforms, simplifying internal and external audits. Advanced features, including automated audit trails and real-time monitoring, contribute to transparency. This saves time and resources and instills confidence in maintaining high compliance levels. 

Leverage your Healthcare GRC with Sprinto 

Healthcare GRC tools greatly improve the efficiency of operating procedures, thereby reducing the chances of service disruptions. They automate processes, streamline workflow, secure PHI, support real-time collaboration between IT teams, and provide analytics for continuous improvement. 

However, navigating their challenges requires a strategic approach, proper training, and selecting GRC solutions tailored to the healthcare industry. 

Sprinto is a smart GRC automation tool that simplifies and automates all complex compliance tasks and procedures and guarantees the development of effective security policies for processing PHI.

Tailor-made to address specific business requirements, the platform conducts automated risk assessments, facilitates issue resolution, manages incident response, and provides mitigation plans, offering an end-to-end proactive risk management strategy. 

Unlike other GRC tools that take months, Sprinto ensures compliance in 14 business days.

Schedule a demo today to discover how Sprinto can enhance your GRC strategy. 

FAQs

1. Why is it important to have healthcare GRC software?

Healthcare GRC software is important for organizations since it streamlines complex tasks, effectively manages risks, and ensures adherence to relevant security regulations. 

2. How to choose the best GRC tool?

Still confused about which GRC tool will work out for your company’s security needs? 

Here’s a simple guide to help you choose the best GRC tool for your organization:

• Set your goals and requirements
• Evaluate the compliance coverage
• Compare the tool with other noteworthy tools and software in the market.
• Be sure to have building blocks for integration and automation features.
• Check for support and reporting functions
• Cost considerations
• Seek advice from security professionals or connect with the IT community.