New York hospital unveils free personal electronic health record system

New York hospital unveils free personal electronic health record system

NEW YORK – NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital launched a new electronic personal health record, myNYP.org, which gives its patients free access to their medical information.
The record uses Microsoft’s HealthVault and Amalga technologies to offer patients the ability to select and store personal medical information generated during their doctor and hospital visits at NewYork-Presbyterian. The system uses a “pull model” in which patients proactively opt to copy their medical data into their own personal health record and access that information using a secure username and password with any Web-enabled device.
Hospital leaders believe the system is the first of its kind to be launched at a major medical institution and the only such system which provides security, privacy and portability to all patients.
“Increasingly patients are taking charge of their own health care. MyNYP.org gives them the tools to accomplish this — empowering them to effectively and efficiently manage all aspects of their health and wellness,” stated Dr. Steven J. Corwin, executive vice president and chief operating officer of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. “This technology not only gives patients access to their health information, but puts them in the driver’s seat, with complete control to take their information with them, add to it, and share it with family, with other doctors and health care providers, and anyone they choose.”
In addition to managing their own health information, patients have the option to serve as family health managers by adding and tracking the health information of consenting family members, including a spouse, child, parent and dependents.
Calling the system “a significant step” Dr. Herbert Pardes, president and CEO of NewYork-Presbyterian, stated, “When patients can easily share their medical record with their physician or hospital, it reduces the need for excess paperwork and testing, which could mean lower costs, improved outcomes, reduction in medical errors and better care.”
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, based in New York City, is the nation’s largest not-for-profit, non-sectarian hospital, with 2,242 beds. The Hospital has nearly 2 million inpatient and outpatient visits in a year, including more than 230,000 visits to its emergency departments.