MEDIA RELEASE

Kaiser Permanente Hawaii has announced the results of its 2010 electronic connectivity survey. The data shows Kaiser Permanente as a national and local leader in connecting patients with doctors, pharmacists and other health care providers via the web.

Kaiser Permanente has the world’s largest civilian electronic health record system, KP HealthConnect.

Patients have embraced the technology because it gives them yet another way to communicate with their personally-selected physician. Not only does it strengthen the relationship between the physician and patient, it allows members to check their lab tests, review previous visit information, and order and re-order prescription medications all without leaving their home or office.

This saves time, money and sometimes even a trip to the doctor.

“The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act includes provisions to encourage the use of electronic health records to help physicians and health care providers coordinate care,” said Hyewon Jun, MD, physician leader for Kaiser Permanente Hawaii’s online service. “We’re very pleased with the KP HealthConnect stats because it shows we lead the nation and the state in strengthening the relationship that our members have with their doctors through the web, and that ultimately helps us provide them with better care and service.”

Kaiser Permanente Hawaii patients went to the web in ever increasing numbers in 2010:

* 433,997 – Lab and test results viewed online
* 277,900 – Secure messages between patients and providers
* 147,376 – Prescription refilled online
* 43,006 – Past visit information reviewed
* 13,527 – Appointment scheduled

KP HealthConnect, is the world’s largest private electronic medical record system with 8.6 million patients. Kaiser Permanente Hawaii patients have their complete medical history available when they visit any one of the 18 facilities statewide, and their physicians and health care teams have access to vital patient information 24/7.

It also connects patients to their own personal doctors, care teams and medical information, wherever they can access the Internet.

Motivated, in part, by recent health care reform legislation, other hospitals, medical groups, and health care organizations are moving toward coordinated care models similar to the one utilized by Kaiser Permanente.

“Our care delivery system is fully integrated and it’s gratifying that the nation is now seeing the value of coordinating care for patients,” Jun said. “KP HealthConnect helps our physicians and health care teams deliver an incredibly high level of quality and an exceptional patient experience in all aspects of health, from prevention to acute care.”

KP HealthConnect is a tool that helps physicians and providers to improve patient safety and the quality of care. It was a major reason the National Committee for Quality Assurance Health (NCQA) listed Kaiser Permanente Hawaii as the highest-rated plan in the state based on quality and member satisfaction.

— Find out more:
www.kp.org