By Carrie McDermott
More and more people across the United States can now access their health records electronically because of the e-health system, initiated in the late 1990s. E-health is the use of digital information and communication technologies to improve people’s health and health care.
The Minnesota Department of Health released survey results earlier this month that show 93 percent of clinics and 99 percent of hospitals in the state have adopted electronic health records, available to both patients and their providers.
Ten years ago, less than 9 percent of the state’s hospitals and 17 percent of clinics had electronic records.
Minnesota Health Commissioner Dr. Ed Ehlinger said in a release, the “e-health advances are the result of work by thousands of Minnesotans in government, businesses, nonprofits and health care settings such as hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and public health.
“Minnesota has made great strides in health information technology to improve patient experience, health care quality, patient safety and public health,” Ehlinger said. “We must continue to support Minnesota’s e-health initiative to achieve the next step of e-health which is the creation of policies and processes that not only impact individual health but also improve the health of all Minnesotans and their communities.”
Locally. Sanford Clinic offers an electronic records system called “My Sanford Chart,” allowing patients to securely access their records anytime from any computer. Essentia Health Clinic offers a similar system for its patients called “Essentia MyHealth.”
E-health tools and resources are important because they enable health care consumers and caregivers to manage chronic conditions, gather information to make informed medical conditions and communicate with health care providers.
According to information from the state’s department of health, Minnesota’s e-health achievements include: 72 percent of the state’s clinics now offer an online patient portal with access to personal health information, making monitoring easier; 76 percent of clinics use automated tools to identify needed preventive care services; 70 percent use automated reminders for missing labs and tests; and 95 percent of clinics use medication guides and alerts. The percentage of clinics reporting that electronic records alert them to potential medication errors is 92 percent, and 96 percent report e-health records enhance patient care in the clinic.
Needed improvements the state is working towards are ensuring more providers in Minnesota adopt and use e-health records, and ensuring those providers can effectively and securely use and share e-health information to better serve their patients.
