For Patients
For Patients
Technology is bringing significant improvements in health care to doctors’ offices, hospitals and clinics across Hawai‘i Island. As part of a collaborative effort toward better health care, better health and lower costs, new technology reduces paperwork and ensures the most accurate and up-to-date information is available to your team of providers, no matter their location. It starts with an Electronic Health Record (EHR), which your doctor may be using to store your medical information. Ultimately, EHRs from multiple health care organizations can be connected to securely and quickly share information about your health.
An EHR is, at its simplest, a digital version of those paper charts. It contains your health information, such as medical history, diagnoses, medications, immunization dates, allergies, radiology images, and lab and test results. Health care organizations across Hawai‘i Island are installing or upgrading EHRs, which have become the new standard in health care. EHRs:
- Minimize your paperwork
- Get your information accurately, securely and in a timely manner to providers who need it
- Help your doctors coordinate your care
- Reduce unnecessary duplication of tests and procedures
Health care technology has made a difference, and in many cases, saved lives, for others across the nation. Read real stories about how mother of two Lilianne Wright managed her Type-1 Diabetes using EHRs and how access to information could have saved the life of Regina Hillida’s husband who struggled with kidney cancer. Find out how Dave deBronkart survived stage IV cancer and why he is an advocate for EHRs. See these stories and more at healthit.gov.
Monthly Column Published in Hawaii Tribune-Herald
HIBC brings you a monthly article discussing the new world of health care and health care technology across the nation and on Hawai‘i Island. The goal is to let you know, in plain language, what is happening to change how care is delivered and coordinated in Hawaii County.
The Changing Face of Healthcare on the Big Island—in plain English
By Hawaii Island Beacon Community Staff
October 21, 2012
HILO, Hawai‘i –There’s been an accident, and medical personnel spring into action. But the patient is unconscious when she is brought to the Emergency Room. Who is her doctor? What medicines is she taking? Does she have any allergies? These are potentially life or death questions, but where do we get the answers?
Check back for more information as our work to improve health care on Hawai‘i Island continues. For questions or more information, call the Hawai‘i Island Beacon Community (HIBC) information line at (808) 933-8568 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Need to request your health records? Bring this memo to your health care provider to help facilitate access to your records.
