On June 1, 2014, Sidney Health Center converted to a new electronic health record (EHR), offering a new opportunity for patients to access their personal medical information via a secure website that is managed by Sanford Health. MyChart is a patient portal that allows patients to participate in their care by accessing a summary of medical information.
Patients can request prescription refills, send non-emergent questions to their provider, and have 24-hour access to important health information when traveling. The service is free and available to patients who are served by an employed Sidney Health Center primary care provider. A smart phone app is also available for Android and iPhone products.
Why should patients sign-up for this service? First, patients benefit from the convenient access MyChart provides. In addition, adults can sign-up their children or spouses, and have quick-access to vital information regarding recent labs, upcoming appointments, or overdue health maintenance.
Patti Iversen, FNP points out that secure electronic communication is a common part of everyday life for many and MyChart is ideal for routine, non-emergent communication in regards to health management. She went onto say, “I am pleased to be able to offer my patients more convenient communication and increased access to health care information through the simple registration for MyChart. I believe in using every tool at my disposal to partner with my patients in achieving their best possible quality of life.”
Irene Emly, a MyChart participant, commented, “I think it’s great. I have all of my information right in front of me. I can also send a message to my provider and not feel like I’m interrupting them.”
The recent conversion to the new EHR system allows Sidney Health Center to meet federal guidelines for the secure use and sharing of health information. A major focus of the federally mandated medical record system is to improve communication between patients and providers and one of the requirements is to provide a patient portal that is actively being used by Sidney Health Center’s clientele.
“Implementing a software system of this magnitude is quite an undertaking,” stated Rick Haraldson, Sidney Health Center CEO. “Overall, I am very pleased with the progress that our staff and medical providers have made in just a few short weeks. They have stepped up to learn a new system that offers a safe and efficient way of exchanging health information.”
With the Epic software system in use, Sidney Health Center will be reimbursed through government funds for services provided, based on its ability to offer services like MyChart. When patients personally sign-up for MyChart, they not only gain access to valuable personal health information, but help Sidney Health Center meet these federally-mandated goals.
For additional information about MyChart, go to www.sidneyhealth.org/Patients/My-Chart .