[SANDUSKY, 12/26/2017] - Family Health Services of Sandusky, Ohio, is keeping up with technological trends like the digitization of processes and making its patients’ medical records accessible online. As the healthcare industry adapts to these changes, the clinic follows suit.

A Global Development

Digitization of medical records is not a recent movement, nor is it happening exclusively in the United States. As early as 2007, records show that in Canada, 10% of medical physicians and specialists used electronic medical or health records (EMR or EHR) exclusively. This increased to 16% in 2010.

In the US, the latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that 86.9% of office-based physicians are now using EMR/EHR systems.

Statista, a statistics and research authority, reports that the global EMR/EHR market will be worth $24 billion by 2020.

Access to Health Records

While other countries may have their own regulations about EMR/EHR systems, the United States has declared that if health institutions register patients’ records electronically, then those patients should also have electronic access to the information. The details of this regulation are included in the US Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

In accordance with this, Family Health Services developed an online-based system where patients may access their health records anytime, anywhere.

No Barriers

The Family Health Services website has a Patient Portal that is accessible to all former and current patients of the health center. It is a secure and private platform where people can keep track of, view, and print out their health records. Current patients waiting for their lab results don’t have to schedule another appointment; they can receive the information electronically this way. If they have questions and would like to meet with their doctor, patients can easily schedule an appointment online.

Additionally, the clinic shortens the admission process by providing new patients with printable forms. The latter can fill them out at their leisure, print them, and submit to the clinic when their schedule permits.

About Family Health Services

Family Health Services is a non-profit, Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Sandusky, Ohio. It is the go-to clinic for individuals and families in need of general medical and primary care. The health center also offers immunizations, obstetrics & gynecology services, laboratory services, and preventive care.

To learn more about the center, visit https://www.familyhs.org.