Electronic Health Records

March 13, 2008

Kaiser Permanente Patients Praise Electronic Health Records on NPR

Two Kaiser Permanente members touted the organization's electronic health records system on National Public Radio's "The Kojo Nnamdi Show" Tuesday, March 11, during the show's "Tech Tuesday" segment.
Two of Nnamdi's guests on the show, a reporter with the Baltimore Sun, and the president and CEO of the National Alliance for Health Information Technology, also praised Kaiser Permanente's system.

"The Kojo Nnamdi Show" is featured on American University station WAMU 88.5 FM in Washington, D.C, which is a National Public Radio affiliate station.

The "Tech Tuesday" topic was electronic health records and how they have changed the way we communicate, shop, and work. Nnamdi's guests were Scott Wallace, president and CEO of NAHIT; David Kohn, health and science reporter for the Baltimore Sun; and Bob Gellman, a privacy and information policy consultant.

"I can't say enough about how much it has helped the health care of my family."
– Wendy, Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States Region

Wendy called in to say how much she loves the electronic health record at KP. She uses it to view labs, set appointments and email doctors. Wendy said she was originally concerned about security, but has grown accustomed to using web for other things like shopping and decided to give it a try.

Kohn, from the Baltimore Sun, added that Kaiser Permanente is a "leader" in the field, as it provides health care for 8.7 million Americans and invested billions of dollars in its electronic health record system, KP HealthConnect™. He said this is such a big operation, it will likely see savings that a small practice would not see.

"(Kaiser Permanente) provides comprehensive medical care under one system and you cannot beat the coordinated preventive care they offer. My wife and I can email our doctors and have a response back same day or next business day.  This is a very good system I'm very happy with it."
– Jarrett, Silver Spring, Md.

One of the guests on the show, Scott Wallace said, "KP is unique. It is both a provider and an insurer, this is a case with a benefit of more efficient, more effective care."

KP HealthConnect™ is the world's largest civilian electronic health records project. KP HealthConnect™ links people securely to their health care teams, their personal health information, and the latest medical knowledge – taking advantage of Kaiser Permanente's integrated approach to health care.

Listen to a recording of the program through WAMU's website.