Press Releases: National
February 25, 2008
Ten Hospitals Now Complete with KP HealthConnect™ Electronic Medical Records
More than 2.4 million members covered by inpatient electronic medical records
OAKLAND, Calif. – Kaiser Permanente today announced that 10 of its California hospitals have completed their inpatient deployments of Kaiser Permanente HealthConnect™ the organization's electronic health record.
Kaiser Permanente has long been a pioneer in implementing health information technology. KP HealthConnect™ is the world's largest civilian electronic health record and this week's milestone puts the organization well ahead of hospital-based organizations. A recent report from the California HealthCare Foundation indicated that less than 13 percent of California hospitals (including Kaiser Permanente's) had fully implemented an electronic health record.
Now, nearly a third of Kaiser Permanente's California hospitals are fully deployed ensuring that 2.4 million members are ensured full access to their comprehensive health information, regardless of how and when they need medical care – whether in the exam room, online, or in the emergency room.
"With the completion of 10 hospitals, more than 2.4 million Kaiser Permanente members are covered completely by an electronic medical record, which means that their records are instantly available at their hospitals and doctor's offices, so they can receive the care they need, when and where they need it." said Andrew Wiesenthal, MD, national physician lead for KP HealthConnect™ and associate executive director of The Permanente Federation. "This is a significant shift from the paper world, where health records are virtually never available prior to admission."
Kaiser Permanente's electronic health record is expected to improve quality, service and patient safety. With KP HealthConnect™ in place, nearly all Kaiser Permanente members are already routinely treated with an electronic chart in the outpatient setting, and all of Kaiser Permanente's 8.7 million members have access to My health manager – Kaiser Permanente's personal health record – where they can manage their health online. My health manager provides critical time-saving features, including online appointment scheduling and prescription refills. In addition, users have 24/7 online access to lab test results, eligibility and benefits information, and even their children's immunization records.
Kaiser Permanente's aggressive implementation schedule will continue in 2008, with 14 additional hospitals slated to roll out KP HealthConnect™'s inpatient capabilities by the end of the year.
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.
