Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston has had a patient portal since 2000. The portal, PatientSite, allows patients to view their records online, request appointments and prescription refills and send secure messages to physicians.
Allowing patients to view and provide feedback on their electronic records can help improve the accuracy of record information, according to a study in Generating Evidence & Methods to improve patient outcomes.
A growing number of top hospitals have begun to incorporate mHealth — the use of mobile technology devices and smartphones for healthcare purposes — to connect patients and clinicians, improve care coordination and reduce avoidable, costly hospital readmissions.
Eligible hospitals and professionals are now able to submit applications for meaningful use hardship exceptions through Nov. 30, allowing them to potentially avoid Medicare payment adjustments in 2015 for not meeting meaningful use requirements this year.