California-based Kaiser Permanente has launched what it calls the world's largest privately-funded electronic health records system. Kaiser says the medical history of more than eight-and-a-half million members in nine states is now stored electronically. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has the story.
It took Kaiser four years to implement the new system. Now, doctors have electronic access to patients' medical records in all Kaiser clinics. Most Kaiser Hospitals in Southern California are connected, as well.
Kaiser chief medical information officer John Mattison says the system is fully integrated with patients' personal health records.
Mattison: So that patients can from the convenience of their home or anywhere they are, log on and see what their most current lab results are, email their doctor and communicate with their doctor without having to schlep on over to the office."
Mattison says electronic health records will help Kaiser doctors stay on top of things, and deliver better patient care.
Kenny Goldberg, KPBS News.
