a patient's guide to patient portals
DESCRIPTION
Why aren't patients using Patient Portals? 1. Portals lack functionality 2. Patients lack education This presentation reviews what some portals are offering and why it's important to you, the empowered patient.TRANSCRIPT
PATIENT PORTALS
This patient spent 9 months seeking a diagnosis for r e c u r r e n t p n e u m o n i a . Eventually a carcinoid tumor was discovered in his lung. As a result of the delayed d i a g n o s i s , t h e t u m o r proliferated and surgeons were forced to remove the patient’s entire right lung.
The patient’s inability to access and share health records caused redundant and inconclusive tests costing valuable time and ultimately, his lung.
HITECH ACT
As part of the Affordable Care Act, the HITECH Act mandates physicians integrate an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems in their practice. To be compliant, EMR’s must include a Patient Portal. The government has designated $26B in incentives to help offset the financial burden of EMR’s. Starting in 2014, incentives will transition to penalties if a “Meaningfully Usable “ EMR isn’t implemented.
Studies have shown EMR’s can: Decrease medical errors
11%1
Reduce medication errors
14%2 1. http://www.commonwealthfund.org/~/media/Files/Publications/Issue%20Brief/2012/Jul/1608_SilowCarroll_using_EHRs_improve_quality.pdf
2. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3116263/
EMR’S IMPROVE SAFETY
88% of providers report their EMR produces clinical
benefits for the practice1
75% of providers report their EHR allows them to
deliver better patient care2
1. http://www.commonwealthfund.org/~/media/Files/Publications/Issue%20Brief/2012/Jul/1608_SilowCarroll_using_EHRs_improve_quality.pdf
2. http://www.healthit.gov/providers-professionals/improved-diagnostics-patient-outcomes
…gets you better, faster
EMR’S IMPROVE OUTCOMES
1 http://www.commonwealthfund.org/~/media/Files/Publications/Issue%20Brief/2012/Jul/1608_SilowCarroll_using_EHRs_improve_quality.pdf 2 http://www.healthit.gov/providers-professionals/improved-diagnostics-patient-outcomes 3 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3116263/
EMR’S IMPROVE EFFICIENCY
80% decrease in time admitting ER patients. 1
94% of providers report their EMR makes records readily
available at point of care. 2
75% reduction in transcription costs. 3
“INTEROPRA… WHAT?”
More than 400 EMR’s are commercially available in the US. Currently, EMR’s lack ability to communicate…interoperability. On average, Americans have 7 different physicians and the lack of interoperability means doctors outside of an integrated Health System (Kaiser Permanente, Vanderbilt, etc) are unable to easily share patient information. So, Patient Portals were mandated…
What’s A
A secure website provided by your physician containing various health records, patient information and communication tools. Functionality varies widely by vendor.
14% Source: PwC Health Research Institute Consumer Survey, 2010
Of patients that have portal access actually log-on and use them…because:
1) Portals lack functionality 2) Patients aren’t aware
FULL DISCLOSURE: I’m a Vanderbilt patient and have only used the My Health Patient Portal. It has better functionality than most I’ve researched…but there’s room for improvement.
FORMS Patients can complete forms prior to arriving at an appointment and view standard forms they’ve already completed such as HIPAA Privacy Forms
Some providers allow patients to schedule routine visits through the portal. No more waiting on hold or speaking with the answering service!
APPOINT- MENTS
Some providers enable patients to send secure emails via the portal. Messages are triaged by nurses who respond to routine questions and forward urgent or abnormal messages to physicians.
MESS- AGING
Perhaps the most valuable and pertinent functionality of portals. Information can include lab results, image reports, vital signs, immunizations and medication lists.
RECORDS
THE FUTURE
Future iterations of patient portals will include:
• Disease specific and physician approved patient education
• Disease specific social networking
• Images – xray, CT scans, MRI
• Doctor Notes
Ask your physician when they are implementing a portal. If your physician has a portal, use it! If you don’t like it, tell your physician why. It is our responsibility as patients to be quarterback of our healthcare and patient portals are the gateway to improved communication and better healthcare outcomes.
“DOES MY DOCTOR
HAVE A PATIENT
PORTAL?”
