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PPV: Understand the details of personal health records to serve as a valuable patient resource

HIM Connection, October 28, 2008

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This scenario is becoming increasingly common: A patient presents to the HIM department and requests copies of records to create his or her personal health record (PHR). According to a June survey that AHIMA’s PHR practice council developed in conjunction with the Missouri Health Information Management Association, the majority of the 181 survey respondents indicated an increase in patient requests for copies of medical records to include in a PHR. According to the same study, 12% of respondents reported they have actually implemented a hospital-based PHR.

In times of rising insurance costs, publicly available quality data, and easily accessible health information via the Internet, it’s no surprise that patients are taking greater control as they navigate the healthcare system. And as more patients take the reins, HIM directors must be prepared to go along for the ride and answer questions along the way, says Marsha Dolan, MBA, RHIA, coordinator of the HIT program at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, MO, and PHR community education coordinator for the state of Missouri. "I think this is an absolutely wonderful opportunity for HIM directors to step up to the plate and say, ‘I’m still a consumer advocate and a patient advocate,’ " Dolan says.

Editor’s note: For more information about PHRs or to purchase a copy of this article for $10, visit www.hcpro.com/content/221396.cfm. Subscribers to Medical Records Briefing have access to this article in the November issue of the newsletter.

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