Patient-Doctor Partnership -- AccessMyHealth.org -- Surveys Washingtonians About Privacy and Confidentiality of Online Personal Health Information
Expanded AccessMyHealth.org Web Site Features Surveys and
Resources Focused on Improving Washingtonians' Access to Their Health
Information, Supports Pilot Projects That Will Test Personalized
Online Health Record Concept During 2009
OLYMPIA, Wash.--(Business Wire)--
AccessMyHealth.org, a partnership of patients and doctors convened
by the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA), has launched an
expanded Web site where state residents can find out about how to
better access their health care information with convenient,
accessible and secure online personalized health records; and where
they can register their opinions by taking short online surveys.
On the site (online at www.AccessMyHealth.org), all Washingtonians
are encouraged to take two ten-minute surveys. The surveys are
designed to encourage a broad cross-section of Washington citizens to
offer their opinions about the concept of online health records, the
features and benefits they would find worthwhile, and their thoughts
about privacy and confidentiality issues when it comes to personal
health information online.
"AccessMyHealth.org is a great opportunity for Washingtonians to
learn about the benefits of having their health information online --
in a very secure manner -- and to inform us of what they would find
worthwhile," said Governor Chris Gregoire. "The Evergreen State is
taking a leadership role to learn from the prospective users of online
health records, be they patients, doctors or consumers that are ready
to take charge of their own health."
The AccessMyHealth.org Web site and surveys are part of a broader
effort of the HCA to develop a strategy for adoption and use of online
personalized health records in the state's health care community.
"We encourage anyone in the state of Washington to take our online
surveys," said Wendy Carr, chair of AccessMyHealth.org. "We've got the
questions -- and Washingtonians have the answers. The state
Legislature and the Health Care Authority are providing strong vision
and creating opportunities to test the promise of personalized online
health records. But to do it well, we have to find out: What privacy
and security measures are important to Washingtonians? How will
doctors and patients benefit from such access?"
By mid-August, the HCA is expected to announce that up to four
collaborative community efforts in different regions of the state will
be designated as demonstration projects. The grant awards -- to
Washington-based not-for-profit organizations partnering with
different online health record vendors -- will be used to create and
explore the viability and value of personalized online health records.
With a maximum grant award up to $600,000, the Health Care Authority
will be able to closely test and monitor the usage and benefits of
personalized online health records. The pilot projects will be
operational from January 2009 through June 2009 and will be available
on a pilot basis to thousands of Washingtonians in each region.
Using this new technology, patients will have the ability to view
and share a copy of their health record -- without having to create
from scratch mounds of information, prescriptions and medical
information which is supplied by various health care sources. By
having the ability to access and use their health information,
patients could manage when, how and with whom they will share all or
part of their health information.
To take two online surveys about online health records -- and give
us your opinion -- please visit www.AccessMyHealth.org and click on
"Take a Survey" in the upper right hand corner of the home page.
AccessMyHealth.org will protect the privacy of everyone's personal
information to the full extent of the law; the organization will not
share email addresses or other personal information with any other
party for commercial purposes.
Washington State Health Care Authority
Dave Wasser, 360-923-2711
Copyright Business Wire 2008
