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Online medical records provide access to vital information anywhere: PinnacleCare introduces secure, online access for MembersIt’s not difficult to imagine a scenario in which fast access to your medical records can make a real difference to your health. But most Americans do not have a consolidated, comprehensive medical record, much less one that can be accessed online in seconds. Most people are treated by a number of medical practitioners and each one keeps records of care, medications prescribed and other key facts in a file folder or on a computer in his or her office. With multiple records, information is scattered which can have potentially life-threatening consequences. Tests may be unnecessarily repeated. Symptoms may be overlooked leading to an inaccurate diagnosis. Dangerous combinations of medications may be accidentally prescribed. A wide range of groups have been working to create a system to digitize and consolidate Americans’ medical records. The Federal government is several years into a plan to achieve that goal and insurers like Kaiser Permanente are also following a similar track. A non-profit foundation formed by an alliance of the Duke Fuqua School of Business and the university’s medical school is also working on developing online personal health records, though that project has not yet moved beyond the pilot stage. The do-it-yourself approach While development of an online health record system has been slow going for both the government and non-profit groups working on the problem, a new approach is to put the tool directly into the hands of health care consumers. Both Microsoft and Google are developing online medical records systems for consumers. The goal is for patients to input their medical information which will then be stored on a secure website which both the patient and treating physicians can access from any computer with Internet access. Microsoft launched Health Vault late last year. It can be used to store test results, physicians reports, daily blood pressure or blood sugar measurements and much more online. This information can be accessed by the individual patient and, with permission and the ability to grant access to all or part of the record, by doctors and hospitals. Use of Health Vault is free. The site also includes a search tool that helps members research medical conditions, medications and treatment options. Google is slated to release its online medical records storage and health information tool early this year. It will also offer members the ability to store their medical information on a secure website plus the use of medical information search tools, diet and exercise advice and tools to help find a local physician. Several large U.S. corporations are offering an online medical records tool to employees, including Marriott and Wal-Mart, which is involved in a small pilot program. Reaction to the new tools has been largely positive, but there are potential drawbacks. First, the patient must input all the information, a time-consuming effort. In addition, people may not remember to put all new information on the sites or may not add information in a timely manner. There are also concerns about the accuracy of the information input, since the information will be transmitted by patients rather than medical staff in most cases. PinnacleCare Members are ahead of the curve With the introduction this month of its new Health Records Online system, PinnacleCare has provided Members with an effective tool that’s available today and also includes something Microsoft and Google never will—the support, guidance and expertise that each Member’s personal Advocate provides. Members’ records are reviewed, consolidated and stored by PinnacleCare on a secure online site. They can view, print and download records to a secure device. In addition, PinnacleCare keeps the record up-to-date, making all new information available online. The complete range of medical information will be available from the secure site to Members and the physicians to whom they grant access, including lab results, physicians’ notes, medications, complete medical history, physician contact information and more. All of this information is available 24/7/365 from anywhere in the world, an important advantage for people who travel frequently. “By combining the benefits of complete, centralized, instantly accessible medical records with the personal attention of a PinnacleCare Advocate, Members are light years ahead in their quest for the most effective, efficient care for themselves and their families,” notes Dr. Miles J. Varn, PinnacleCare’s Chief Medical Officer. To view a demonstration of PinnacleCare Health Records Online, Please Click Here |
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