Taking Control of Personal Health Records Can Improve Health

In recent years, doctors and hospitals have been investing in creating and compiling electronic medical records. Given as much as $30 billion in incentives, the medical world has digitized millions of Americans’ medical records with the hope to improve individual care and to cut health care costs. In an ironic twist, it is often easier for government regulators, marketers and bill collectors to access health information than it is for the patients.    

Employers should encourage employees to take control of their health care records and become their own patient advocates and informed health care consumers. In owning one’s health data, a patient can use their health records to keep themselves healthy or control medical problems. It also makes it easy for patients to transfer records from one doctor or hospital to another, readily provide information when consulting specialists and seeking second opinions, or shop for less expensive care. Having access to personal medical records can reduce medical errors, simplify costly administrative paperwork and improve an individual’s well-being. Patients become a second set of eyes to spot errors, avoid repeat tests, detect fraud, offset malpractice lawsuits, and potentially reduce associated disability and health insurance costs.

Below are five tips for employees who want to gain access and take charge of their personal health records.

Demand data. Under federal law, copies of an individual’s medical information should be made readily available from any health care provider.

Organize data. There are many software programs and apps available to streamline medical information. An entire family can have each member’s information in one place to track medications, immunizations, vital signs, test results and appointments, as well as set fitness goals and track progress. Additionally, every diagnosis, doctor and hospital visit, lab test, X-ray, and prescription, can be accessible from many smartphones.

Share data. Electronic records make it easier to bring medical information to other doctors or caregivers without having to make an appointment. For families, records of medications, allergies, blood type and major health issues can easily be shared with schools and other family members.

Generate data. With wearable fitness devices, social wellness apps and employer-sponsored wellness initiatives, individuals can monitor health easily.

Protect data. Storing information on a personal computer or smartphone does make it vulnerable to loss, theft or hacking. It’s critical to protect personal health records with passwords and to ensure that any records sent or received are encrypted.

A number of our clients use the Wellness Workdays’ HIPAA-compliant portal as part of their wellness program. The portal collects and stores patient information on health and wellness and allows employees to access and track their data over time – from weight and BMI to blood pressure, cholesterol and exercise. The portal also houses each employee’s personal health assessment (PHA) and screening results, as well as their personal health record, making it easy for employees to download and print their information and bring it to medical appointments.

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Visit Wellness Workdays for more information about our worksite wellness programs.