SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) and FTPs (File Transfer Protocol)
Does ER Express support both SFTP and FTPS?
Yes. You can set up either an SFTP or a FTPS between your facility and ER Express.
What is the difference between SFTP vs. FTPS?
"While FTPS adds a layer to the FTP protocol, SFTP is an entirely different protocol based on the network protocol SSH (Secure Shell). Unlike both FTP and FTPS, SFTP uses only one connection and encrypts both authentication information and data files being transferred." Read more about this here.
Why should I use a FTP/SFTP?
File Transfer Protocols provides a secure way for customers to retain a copy of all reg/intake patient documents. Many customers want these records for compliance reasons, such as having a permanent copy of consent signature documents.
For security/privacy purposes, ER Express does NOT preserve copies of these records on its servers or virtual machines. We delete them 48 hours after the patient's visit.
What are some limitations of this protocol?
FTP/SFTP transmission does NOT replace health-system staff viewing/downloading intake forms in real-time.
FTP/SFTP tools (e.g., Filezilla) are not user-friendly. They typically offer very limited graphical user interface and often do not auto-refresh (requires clicking F5 key).
This is NOT a replacement for uploading into a reg system.
What options do I have when setting up my FTP/SFTP with ER Express?
If you have multiple facilities in ER Express, there are a couple of options for setting up your SFTP:
1. You can provide one set of credentials for all of your facilities. In this case, all of the form submissions for all of your facilities will live in the same folder tree. In other words, you will have a global log of submissions for all your facilities rather than separate folders for each facility.
2. You can provide a set of credentials corresponding to each of your facilities. In this case, each set of credentials will contain the submission logs for their respective facility.
What do I need to provide in order to set up an FTP/SFTP?
1. host name
2. port (if not port 22, which is the default)
3. user name
4. password
After I have made my credentials, how do I send this sensitive information to ER Express?
Fill out this form: https://erexpress.jotform.com/211742626523048
This form will encrypt your information in transit and at rest, and lives on a secure server.