Area hospitals make records available on iPhone

OTTAWA – Hospitals in the Ottawa region are now offering Health Records on Apple iPhones, making it easy for patients to see their medical data from multiple providers whenever they choose. The Health Records feature is part of the Apple Health app, which also shows activity, heart rate, nutrition and other health data consolidated from iPhone, Apple Watch and HealthKit-enabled third-party apps.

This Apple integration is available for patients from Arnprior Regional Health, Bruyère, Carleton Place and District Memorial Hospital, Glengarry Memorial Hospital, Montfort and Queensway Carleton Hospital. Together these hospitals form the CHAMP partnership which uses the MEDITECH Expanse health information system.

Health Records creates a direct connection between medical institutions and a patient’s iPhone, allowing them to download and see a central view of their allergies, conditions, immunizations, lab results, medications, procedures and vitals. It also notifies patients when their data is updated.

Patients from these hospitals can access Health Records from within the Health app and can download their health records by using their existing Connected Care Patient Portal account credentials.

Connected Care is a free online patient portal, powered by MEDITECH, that currently enables patients to access their patient information from any CHAMP hospital – including test results, medications prescribed at discharge, and visit summaries – securely from their own device.

“With Health Records, Queensway Carleton Hospital is empowering our patients to access their own health information, on their own device. We know that by enabling a more holistic view of a patient’s health information, they can be more directly involved in their health, which leads to better outcomes,” said Tim Pemberton (pictured), vice president, mental health, diagnostic services, chief information officer and chief privacy officer at Queensway Carleton Hospital.

“This is a fabulous tool for those of us who want a deeper understanding of the healthcare we received while we were at the hospital,” said Deborah Clark, chair of the Patient and Family Advisory Council, Arnprior Regional Health. “I want to know what tests were done and what were the results. I also want to know what treatments were prescribed. Health Records on iPhone provides convenient, secure access to that personal health information. For many of us, knowing really helps us move along our personal health journey. For the families who support us, knowing improves our home care after the hospital stay.”

Health Records on iPhone was designed to protect patients’ privacy through a direct, encrypted connection between the user’s iPhone and the healthcare organization. Downloaded health records data is stored on the device and encrypted with the user’s iPhone passcode, Touch ID or Face ID.

“We are thrilled to see CHAMP once again leading the way in Canada by becoming one of the first healthcare organizations to implement Health Records on iPhone,” said Robert Molloy, MEDITECH director Canadian market and product strategy. “CHAMP has established itself as a strong advocate for patient engagement. Giving patients convenient access to their own data will help keep them connected with their care as well as keep them healthier in the long run.”