If you’ve been a patient of the Blessing Health System hospitals in Quincy or Pittsfield, you now have instant access to your health information through your iPhone. The health system partnered with healthcare information technology company Allscripts to allow Blessing Hospital and Illini Community Hospital patients to see their health information via Apple Health Records.
“We’re excited to integrate our Allscripts Sunrise™ electronic health record system with Health Records on iPhone,” said Blessing Health System’s Chief Information Officer, Lea Ann Eickelschulte. “When patients have their medical records easily available in one view right on their phone, the entire patient care experience improves – patients have a better understanding of their overall health and clinicians have access to important information regarding their patient’s medical history, right when they need it.”
Using the existing Apple Heath app, Apple Health Records makes it easy for individuals to see their available health data from multiple providers whenever they choose. Health Records is available for iPhone users running iOS 11.3 or higher.
Previously, an individual’s health information was held in multiple locations, requiring patients to log in to each care provider’s website and piece together the information manually. Apple worked with the health care community, including Blessing Health System, to take a consumer-friendly approach and created Health Records.
Now, individuals will have medical information from participating institutions organized into one view, covering allergies, conditions, immunizations, lab results, medications, procedures and vitals, and will receive notifications when their data is updated. Health Records data is encrypted and protected with the user’s iPhone passcode, Touch ID or Face ID.
“Blessing Health System has a proud history of bringing the communities it serves the latest in healthcare technology,” said Maureen Kahn, RN, MHA, MSN, President/Chief Executive Officer, Blessing Health System/Blessing Hospital. “Examples of this commitment include the state-of-the art Radiation Therapy treatment systems in the Blessing Cancer Center, the cutting-edge Electrophysiology Lab in the Blessing Heart & Vascular Center and the innovative hybrid operating room in the Blessing Surgery Department.”
“Blessing’s involvement in the Allscripts and Apple Health Records project is the most recent way in which we are evolving to meet community needs and improve access to care,” Kahn concluded.