Press Releases: National
February 9, 2007
Kaiser Permanente Makes Major Gains in Online Medicine
Online Services are Part of Larger Electronic Health Record
OAKLAND, Calif. – Kaiser Permanente members have sent approximately 1.7 million secure e-mail messages to their health care providers and are increasingly heading on line to view their lab tests and other personal health information, according to the most recent statistics.
Kaiser Permanente's online health services, including secure e-mail, lab test results and past office visit reports are available through Kaiser Permanente's web site, kp.org. Most Kaiser Permanente members are also able to check future appointments, as well as immunization records and information pertaining to their allergies and medications. Many are also making appointments on line.
"Our online services are helping patients get better access to caregivers while also making it more convenient for those who would rather not leave their home or office," says Kate Christensen, MD, medical director for kp.org. "The KP system also has the advantage of bringing people together online with their chart and their doctor. For example, patients can view blood test results online and discuss them with their doctor from work or from home."
Kaiser Permanente, which first offered these new online services on kp.org in August 2005, has more members connected to doctors online than any other integrated health system in the world, Christensen says. Already, nearly 1.4 million members have used the online features and 4.7 million lab tests have been viewed via kp.org. "We're seeing very robust use of our system and we expect the upward trend to continue," she adds.
The online features are part of KP HealthConnect, Kaiser Permanente's electronic health record system, which connects the health plan's 8.6 million members securely to their health care teams and their personal health information. KP HealthConnect is the largest civilian electronic health record in the world. Through KP HealthConnect, Kaiser Permanente members are provided with new and evolving ways to interact with their physicians and other care providers. Each member's electronic health record includes their medical information as well as appointments, registration and billing information. These electronic records support the care and service of Kaiser Permanente members across Kaiser Permanente facilities and are also made available to members on kp.org.
Kaiser Permanente is leaping ahead with online health services as the nation's doctors are lagging in this area. In fact, only one in four physicians nationwide reported using e-mail to reach patients, according to a recent study by the Center for Studying Health System Change, a Washington, D.C.-based research group.
Kaiser Permanente physicians in California, Colorado, Georgia, Oregon, Hawaii and its Mid-Atlantic States region agree that e-mail and other online services are adding convenience and improving patient care, and enhancing face-to-face visits. "My relationship with a patient is strengthened when we stay in touch electronically," says Dr. Lisa Liu, a general internist in Elk Grove, Calif.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, our mission is to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 8.6 million members in nine states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. For more information, go to: www.kp.org/newscenter.
