MyHealthAtVanderbilt: Policies and Procedures Governing Patient Portal Functionality

Overview

Journal J Am Med Inform Assoc

Publisher Oxford University Press

Specialty Medical Informatics

Date 2011 Aug 3

PMID 21807648

Citations 46

Authors

Chandra Y Osborn

S Trent Rosenbloom

Shane P Stenner

Shilo Anders

Sue Muse

Kevin B Johnson

Jim Jirjis

Gretchen Purcell Jackson

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Explicit guidelines are needed to develop safe and effective patient portals. This paper proposes general principles, policies, and procedures for patient portal functionality based on MyHealthAtVanderbilt (MHAV), a robust portal for Vanderbilt University Medical Center. We describe policies and procedures designed to govern popular portal functions, address common user concerns, and support adoption. We present the results of our approach as overall and function-specific usage data. Five years after implementation, MHAV has over 129,800 users; 45% have used bi-directional messaging; 52% have viewed test results and 45% have viewed other medical record data; 30% have accessed health education materials; 39% have scheduled appointments; and 29% have managed a medical bill. Our policies and procedures have supported widespread adoption and use of MHAV. We believe other healthcare organizations could employ our general guidelines and lessons learned to facilitate portal implementation and usage.

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