Residents At Virginia Community Utilize Online Portal To Access Electronic Medical Records

Greenspring Becomes Latest Erickson Community to Gain Access to Innovative Technology

Springfield, VA - The Greenspring Retirement Community, a campus for persons 62 years and better in Springfield, Virginia, is the latest Erickson community to utilize the new Erickson health portal, an innovation that gives residents of Erickson retirement communities nationwide the ability to view the contents of their electronic medical record anytime they choose.

The Erickson resident health portal is an extension of the electronic medical records system implemented company-wide in 2003 and is now available in the on-site medical centers operated by the Erickson Health system, the nation's largest and most completely integrated wellness and health care system for people over 62 years of age.

"This is another example of the way Erickson HealthSM puts Erickson communities at the forefront of wellness and health for older adults in America today," said Matt Narrett, MD, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer for Erickson Health.

The idea for the portal started with Erickson Retirement Communities Chairman and CEO John Erickson, who felt that residents and members of Erickson HealthSM medical centers have the right to view the information on file about them and know what's there.

The portal is a heavily secured website. Residents must enter three fields – a chart identification number, a personal identification number (PIN), and an access code – to view their medical record. The home page includes the resident's name and personal information, the date and time he or she last logged in, and tabs that can be clicked to view information about allergies; directives; medical, surgical, and historical health problems; medications, with the date prescribed as well as instructions; labs/tests/vaccines, which includes the date conducted and a summary of results; and contacts, such as family members and other physicians.

Residents can also change their PIN and give others access to their personal health information by adding them as delegates. Residents also have the power to deactivate a delegate's account or remove it entirely at any time.

"The response from our residents for access to this technology has been overwhelming," said Dr. Leslie Brandwin, Greenspring's medical director. "Providing individuals with the resources to track their own medical history is something that should be afforded to everyone in this country. Our residents, and everyone that lives at an Erickson Community, are true leaders in the future of health information monitoring and sharing."

SOURCE: Greenspring - An Erickson Community