Stop for a moment and think about your overall health.
Are you confident that you are as healthy as you truly can be? If the answer is no, then stop for a moment and think about the importance of your medical information being in the right hands at the right times.
Unfortunately, too many patients fall through the proverbial cracks when it comes to their healthcare information either not being updated or not where it should be at moments in a crisis.
So, how does one avert that from happening?
Healthcare Records and the Role They Play
When it comes right down to it, having what is in essence a patient portal to speed up one’s health information only makes sense in today’s tech-driven world.
With that in mind, what can both emergency care providers and patients do to make sure both are on the same page, ultimately resulting in less time and effort needed by all parties?
They should look at:
- Better communication – Face it; today’s busy world has its advantages and disadvantages. One of the latter is that patients will oftentimes forget they are due for a doctor’s appointment, lab work etc. When this happens, they can put their overall healthcare needs in jeopardy. Instead, having both the patient and the healthcare provider on the same page only makes sense. The latter can send out regular electronic transmissions to alert the former that they have scheduled lab work, a physical exam, an appointment with a specialist and more. While it is still fine for a doctor’s office or other such type of medical business to call patients or send them a little reminder card via the regular mail, electronic transmission means are becoming more the norm on a regular basis. When there is a good line of communication between patient and the medical personnel treating them, the stress is reduced for all involved. This can also prove critical when someone feels or truly knows they are having a medical emergency. Instead of a medical care provider having to sift through charts and potentially tons of paperwork on a given patient, they can fine that information electronically at their fingertips ;
- Less paperwork – Even though today’s medical world is still seemingly inundated with paperwork, undertaking more medical responsibilities via electronic records can and does help alleviate much of that paper trail. It is certainly not uncommon in today’s medical office or hospital settings to see doctors and other staff carrying electronic tablets with them as they go from patient to patient. Yes, you will still find some doctors doing things the old-fashioned way, but electronic means are certainly becoming more of the norm in 2016;
- Paper trail – If you are what is essentially known as an old-timer, you still may very well want some form of a paper trail for your medical records, notably on your end. If that’s the case, don’t be shy about requesting such info. Whether it is your lab work, a consultation with a specialist or any number of other medical needs, request that your medical care provider mail you the papers via regular mail. Some medical facilities may assume in today’s world of instant technology that you may not want or need such data, but you have every right to request that they mail you such for your personal files;
- Proven security – While communicating via electronic devices is definitely where things are headed in the healthcare world, the thought ofmedical identity theft is something one should never overlook. It is important when using electronic means to communicate that both the patient and the medical provider are using secure lines of communication. If you’ve stayed up on the news in recent years, you know that I.D. theft has hit a number of industries, including the medical world. As such, it is critical that usernames and passwords are carefully protected when logging in and out of computers, smartphones, tables and more. When communicating personal medical data, both the patient and the medical person (doctor, nurse, admin assistant etc.) must make sure they have a secure line of communication available to them.
If time truly does matter with your health, knowing your medical provider can instantly pull up your data will give you some comfort, comfort that will reduce your stress when all is said and done.
