UNMC has announced plans for what is believed to be the first time an academic organization has established a Web-based Personal Health Record program for all its students. In contrast with medical records that are owned by doctors or hospitals, a PHR is owned by the patient and is part of a national effort to involve patients in their own health care.
Although there has been much discussion around the country about the use of PHRs by large corporations, it is believed that this marks the first time an academic organization has done so, and the use of a Web-based PHR program makes it even more unique.
As part of its emergency preparedness efforts, all UNMC students will be given the opportunity to enroll in the voluntary program.
Under the program, students will access a password-secured Web site that provides the electronic format for creation of their health record. An Omaha based company, HDC 4Point Dynamics, is partnering with UNMC to operate and maintain the system, which was originally proposed by the Center for Biosecurity at UNMC.
A key feature of the system is that each student will have control of his/her own PHR. They will establish and maintain their personal and family health information, and the individual can decide if their PHR can be accessed by health care professionals and for what period of time.
The approach facilitates the transportation of essential health information when the student transitions to the private sector or continues education at another institution, as commonly occurs when medical students begin their residency training.
Experts have estimated that electronic medical and health records could save the U.S. up to $45 billion in health care costs, said Henry Zach, president of HDC 4 Point Dynamics.
“The situation our students face is representative of one of the biggest problems in health care today,” said Steven Hinrichs, M.D., professor in UNMC’s Department of Pathology and Microbiology and director of the Nebraska Center for Biosecurity. “When our students move between training sites, their records remain in doctors’ offices and hospitals. Using the personal health record approach, the medical information such as their vaccination record moves with them and information is accessible when needed.”
The PHR contains nine different information categories – demographics and insurance, related parties and emergency contacts, patient and family history (chronic conditions), lifestyle/habits/directives, allergies, immunizations, medications, providers, and hospital/clinic visit information and vitals.
The PHR is accessible from any place at any time using a browser with Internet connection. Health care providers can access with patient permission and update their relevant medical and visit information. In the near future, students, providers and laboratories will be able to enter lab results. The system will identify the source of the new data.
Dr. Hinrichs said that both the government and private sector are looking for ways to empower the patient and give them secure access to their medical records.
“I’m excited to be part of this groundbreaking project,” said Dan Connealy, immediate past president of the UNMC Student Senate and a former student regent for the University of Nebraska. “The college students of today grew up using computers and the Internet. It should be easy for all of us to be comfortable working with the PHR.”
Current UNMC Student Regent Jonathan Henning said: “Considering the cost of distributing health information, a centralized PHR is a solution that can transform this burden in the U.S. health care system. I’m excited to participate, and I think this is a great opportunity for UNMC students to be a part of a cutting edge solution to a nationwide problem.”