Press Releases: Hawaii
September 1, 2005
Kaiser Permanente Hawaii Leads State In Offering Members Electronic Access To Health Information
KP HealthConnect Leads Nation According to National Health IT Coordinator
HONOLULU – Kaiser Permanente Hawaii members are the first healthcare consumers in Hawaii, and in the national Kaiser Permanente Program, to have the convenience of e-mailing their doctors and seeing their medical records through a secured internet site, kaiserpermanente.org. The new KPHealthConnect Online features, available through kp.org, are offered exclusively to Kaiser Permanente members. Additionally, doctors, nurses and other authorized care providers now have real-time medical information with the automated medical record feature.
“We strive to continually introduce enhanced health programs and services that add value for our members,” said Kaiser Permanente Regional President, Janice Head. “KP HealthConnect online gives our members access to their own health information, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.” She added, “Additional online features will further benefit our members down the line, making it more convenient for them to access care on their own terms.” (Future features are mentioned on page two.)
The new messaging feature allows members to securely send and receive non-urgent e-mail to Kaiser Permanente physicians and other medical team staff. Members may also view allergy records and various lab test results released by their physician, track medications and request changes to their medical records. A member can also confirm the date and time of future appointments.
Suzanne Lewis, a member for more than 20 years, submitted this
response through the Web site, “ABSOLUTELY AWESOME!”
“I’ve been using the website intermittently for
general info when needed. But yesterday I had some lab work
done, and much to my utter amazement the results were emailed
to me last night! (Fortunately all good results.) Just wanted
to let you know - This is a super service - Kaiser 'Rocks!'
thanks a million - count me in as another very happy Kaiser
'camper.' Keep up the great work.
Aloha...Suzanne Lewis.” In August, a KPHealthConnect Online
(KPHCO) pilot at two Oahu clinics, made the features available
to those clinic’s members, including Suzanne.
Members can look forward to future KPHCO features such as immunization records, monitoring ongoing health conditions, checking future appointment dates and past office visit information.
KPHCO is available to all Oahu, Maui and Big Island members over the age of 18 by registering at kaiserpermanente.org. Kaiser Permanente Hawaii cares for its Kauai members through a network of private providers outside the Kaiser network who are not linked to the secure Web site. Kauai members may access all the features at kp.org, with the exception of new KPHCO features. Parents may use the KPHCO features for their children from birth to 12-years old. Teens between the ages of 13 to 18 may register for the kp.org features and will eventually have access to KPHCO features.
“Offering our members the convenience of managing more of their health care from home is momentous for the Hawaii region. We’re one step closer to our vision: to put the power of our members’ medical information into their own hands; to offer a secure, convenient new way to communicate with our clinical teams; and to become better partners with our members in their health care journey,” said Peggy Latare, MD, KP HealthConnect physician lead for Hawaii.
The new features will be available to all Kaiser Permanent
Hawaii members beginning September 2, 2005. They will be added
to the many online features already available, such as prescription
refills, scheduling, canceling and changing appointments available
for Primary Care, Ophthalmology, Family Practice, Internal Medicine
and Obstetrics and Gynecology.
“KP HealthConnect online provides members direct access
to their lab results, allergy records and future appointments,
and it allows them to send secure messages to their health care
team,” said Timothy Kim, MD, KP HealthConnect Online physician
lead.
He added, “The integrated system lets our physicians and clinical team access a member’s entire medical record in the exam room, in the emergency room or their office, allowing us to better coordinate their care. And, if a member is referred directly to a specialist during a routine visit, the specialist has immediate electronic access to the entire patient record.”
“Combine this with secured member access, and you have all the elements to support an entire team working toward a common goal: better health.” The integrated system provides doctors and nurses and other authorized health care staff with immediate access to complete, real-time medical records, allowing Kaiser Permanente to provide the most optimal care to its members.
Traveling Kaiser Permanente members who require medical care at a mainland Kaiser Permanente clinic have the added insurance that the clinic will have access to the member’s medical history, current medications, allergies or any ongoing conditions that may influence a plan of treatment
The Kaiser Permanente HealthConnect Program is a $3 billion system wide Kaiser Permanente initiative focused on using a common software system for all KP regions and facilities. (The total cost includes implementation and 10 years of maintenance and upgrades.)
In addition to an electronic medical record, KP HealthConnect is a highly sophisticated nationwide information management and delivery system that incorporates and connects every element of Kaiser Permanente’s health program; the clinical record (both outpatient and hospital care) along with appointments, registration, benefits and billing.
At a recent Kaiser Permanente IT conference, the Bush administration’s head of Health and Technology, US Department of Health and Human Services, Dr. David Brailer, stated about Kaiser Permanente, “If you don’t know you’re a leader, step back, breathe and know you’re a leader. It’s something that the world is watching.”
About Kaiser Permanente Hawaii
Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, the state's largest and most experienced health maintenance organization, is celebrating 50 years of providing quality care and health coverage to the people of Hawaii. Its 4,400 employees and more than 410 doctors are dedicated to serving its members on Oahu, Maui, Hawaii, and Kauai.
