Patient Portals: Improving Patient Access While Safeguarding PHI

1
Patient PortalsImproving Patient Access While
Safeguarding PHI

• Carol Weishar, Advanced Healthcare
• Becky Glynn, Gundersen Lutheran

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Objectives

• Why Have a Patient Portal
• How Secure are Portals
• Functionality How Does it Work and What is
  Available to Patients
• Who Can Access an Account on Behalf of the Patient

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Wall Street Journal Survey

• The majority of U.S. residents would like to use
  patient services such as online appointment
  scheduling and electronic reminders, but most say
  services are not available to them.
• The survey suggests that the availability of
  online services could influence how patients
  choose health care providers.

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Wall Street Journal Survey

• 54 of respondents said the availability of an
  EHR would influence their choice between two
  physicians.
• 62 of respondents said the availability of
  physician-patient email would influence their
  provider choice.
• The survey of 2,264 adults was conducted Sept. 5
  through Sept. 7, 2006
• (Wall Street Journal, 9/12)

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Benefits of Patient Portals

• To serve our patients by providing convenient
  online services
• Removes barriers for patients and allows them to
  take a more active role in their health care
• To enhance patient care
• Secure means of communication

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Benefits of Patient Portals

• Allows patients to compose questions thoughtfully
  and confidentially, without the stress of a
  time-limited clinic visit

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Are Patient Portals Secure?

• A password is required in order to access the
  portal
• Patients log into a secure internet application

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What is Available to Patients?

• Appointments
• Prescription Refills
• Secure/Online Communication
• Portions of their Health Care Record
• Lab and Imaging Results

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Who Can Access What?

• Minors Records
• Proxy Access
• Legal Guardians

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Struggles

• Provider Support
• Resources

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Questions/Discussion
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Contact Information

• Carol WeisharDirector of Medical Information
• Advanced Healthcare
• [phone], cweishar_at_ah.com
• Becky GlynnPatient Information
  CoordinatorGundersen Lutheran(608) 775-3549,
  baglynn_at_gundluth.org