Patient Portals

Upgrades to portal software provides patients with easier access to what matters most; their healthcare

It seems like everything these days is going paperless. Whether it is checking your airline mileage status, or paying your water bill, users have accessibility to online accounts through secure interfaces. So, why should the healthcare system be any different? While, slightly behind the times in comparison to other fields, patient portals are quickly becoming a necessary feature for healthcare providers.  It alleviates the frustration of paper-based transactions and processes, which are extremely time consuming. Patient portals provide a fluid communication back and forth between physicians and patients to which relationships are strengthened by providing more information to all parties involved. "Providing patients with easy and secure online access to their information is no longer a 'nice to have,' under new federal regulations, it's practically a requirement for physician practices today," said Stephen Malik, president and general manager of Intuit Health.

Best-in-Class Patient Portals:

• Simplify patient interaction by seamlessly integrating the inpatient and outpatient experience.
• A customizable and personal portal home page with reliable, up-to-the-minute medical news and health information.
• Personal health record applications that patients can use to capture and maintain their health history

Top Considerations before buying Patient Portals:
At this time, not all patient portals are alike. Interfaces should be customizable offering patient’s flexibility in how medical records are displayed.

Key Providers:

1. Pragmate’s MedGrail Health Management System integrates the medical office with electronic patient records that offers many features to improve the healthcare experience. Features include secure bi-directional communication between patient and physician in real-time promoting an active dialogue. Patients may send requests for visit scheduling, lab test results and prescription renewals. The company's experience includes over 25 years of healthcare IT with over 30 years developing software systems for healthcare providers and payers, manufacturing, and financial institutions.

2. Daw Systems, Inc. says that ScriptSure EMR "is designed with the goal of helping one to practice medicine easier, safer and more efficiently." ScriptSure EMR has a new user interface that is simple to use that can electronically send records securely.  This software creates e-prescriptions, patient and chart notes, referrals, lab tests orders and consultant referrals. It is completely HIPAA compliant and offers printing flexibility. Pre-programmed disease education sheets are included or doctors may create custom disease information sheets. This private company is head-quartered in Ballston Lake NY.

3. NaviNet Inc. Health Plan Solution is a comprehensive interface linking patients, doctors and insurance providers online. As one of the largest real-time communication networks it boasts connecting over 800,000 providers and 98 million patients. The net result is a streamlined process which improves quality of all member services and better customer support. NaviNet facilitates secure, real-time administrative, financial and clinical transactions between leading national, commercial, Blue and Medicaid health plans, and healthcare professionals in all 50 states–resulting in improved quality of care and significant cost savings to the industry.

4. 911 Go Med ID LLC offers a variety of solutions in the field of Portable Personal Health Records for patients to have access to medical records at all times. The Medical ID Medallions USB is the best way to assure that patients are protected at all times. The 2 GB Medallion is ideal for those patients that do not carry wallets but need protection of having up to date medical and personal information with them at all times. Features include access to medical history, health insurance, past treatments, allergies, family history, vaccine history and much more. The 911 Family of Products are designed to be easy to use and highly functional representing the next generation of portable personal health records storage - setting the standard of excellence and best price value.

Patient Portals
Definition: Patient Portals are online applications in the healthcare field that allows patients to interact and communicate with their healthcare provider.