Increasing technological sophistication means allowing the transfer of vital information between patients and providers, and Heywood Hospital is about to take a vital first step in empowering patients with information access when a new online patient portal was live as of June 1.
Consistent and compliant with "meaningful use" mandates of the U.S government, intended to assure optimum patient care coordination among providers, Heywood's patient portal will allow individuals who have been inpatients or Emergency Department patients to easily and securely access key information from their medical record.
"Patients discharged from either our Emergency Department or a medical or surgical unit often need follow-up care from their physician or another provider, or they may have a significant medical event where providers require vital information from a patient's Heywood record to make the best care decisions," explains Carol Roosa, Chief Information Officer and VP of Information Services for Heywood Healthcare. "This patient portal puts information at patients' fingertips, when they want it or need it."
Key components of a patient's health record will include information about allergies, prescription history and vital statistics such as blood pressure, blood sugar or weight, as well as specialists' reports on diagnostic results or treatment procedures. The portal will also show upcoming appointments at the hospital for services such as mammography, diabetes education and physical therapy.
"Our goal is to help patients communicate most efficiently and effectively with their physicians, and to be empowered with the tools and information that help them manage their health and well-being collaboratively," says Roosa.
Individuals who have been an inpatient or Emergency Department patient within the past six months and have an email address on file with the hospital, will receive an email with step-by-step instructions for registering for the portal. Once registered, individuals can easily access the portal through the home page of Heywood's website.
In the case of a proxy, a patient may allow a caregiver to access record Patients over age 18 may allow loved ones or caregivers to have access to their portal. Patients can request a "proxy" form to secure access for another adult.
Heywood Hospital will be hosting free community educations session on our patient portal on Tuesday, June 17, 8 - 9 am and Wednesday, June 18, 5 - 6 pm in the Heywood Hospital Dining Room. Wednesday, June 25, 12-1 pm, there will be a session in the Upper Lobby (adjacent to the Gift Shop).
To register for the Patient Information Portal, patients will need a personal, non-shared email address and their Medical Record Number, which can be obtained by visiting the Medical Records department during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8 am - 4:30 pm). A valid picture ID will be required. Medical Records can be reached at (978) 630-6242 for more information.
About Heywood Healthcare
Heywood Healthcare is an independent, community-owned healthcare system located in the North Central region of Massachusetts. It is comprised of Heywood Hospital, a non-profit, 135-bed acute-care hospital in Gardner, MA; Athol Hospital, a 25 bed not-for-profit, Critical Access Hospital in Athol, MA; Heywood Medical Group with primary care physicians and specialists located throughout the region; and four satellite facilities -Winchendon Health Center and Murdock School-based Health Center in Winchendon, West River Health Center in Orange and Heywood Rehabilitation Center in Gardner.
About Heywood Hospital
Part of the Heywood Healthcare system, Heywood Hospital is a 153-bed acute care hospital in Gardner, MA, which provides a broad range of high quality medical, surgical, obstetrical, pediatric and behavioral health services on an inpatient and outpatient basis. The hospital's Centers of Excellence include the Watkins Center for Emergency and Acute Care; the LaChance Maternity Center; the Diabetes Center; and the Heywood Heart Center, an affiliate of the Heart and Vascular Center of Excellence at UMass Memorial Health Care.