What is a PHR? Why should I have one?
A PHR, or Personal Health Record, is a health record or file that is controlled and maintained by you (the patient) rather than by medical practitioners or institutions. The term PHR typically refers to an electronic record, not a paper one.
PHRs can contain data about medications, vaccinations, laboratory test results, illnesses, chronic conditions, hospitalizations, surgeries, allergies, and family medical history. They are especially useful for those who see multiple physicians (e.g., primary care and ob/gyn) and for those who manage other people’s health records (e.g., moms or adult children of elderly parents).
You should have an online PHR because it’s the easiest way to keep track of your health information. Your child should have an electronic PHR as well, to ensure that a complete medical history is available in an emergency and to save you time maintaining his/her records.
What can I do with my PHR?
Virtua Health Manager and the Zweena PHR are two electronic Personal Health Record technologies that Virtua is recommending for your use
Virtua Health Manager:
Virtua has licensed the Mayo Clinic Health Manager PHR to create the Virtua Health Manager. This tool provides personalized health advice, and clinical recommendations based on health care information in the PHR. You control access to this information and no one can see or access your information unless you share your record with him or her All of your data for use within the Virtua Health Manager is securely stored and controlled by you through the Microsoft HealthVault platform (more about that below). The Virtua Health Manager is provided to you at no cost. Go to .https://www.virtuahealthmanager.org to learn more about the Virtua Health Manager
Zweena PHR:
Virtua has partnered with Zweena, a company that provides electronic PHR tools. Zweena collects your paper health records from your doctors, and a clinical staff member from Zweena scans and enters your records into your personalized Zweena PHR. Some additional data, such as weight measurements, cholesterol labs, and blood glucose labs will be keyed into your Zweena account too, The most intimidating step about creating an online PHR, entering data, becomes simple because Zweena will do it for you.
If you live in the Tri-county Area, Burlington, Camden and Gloucester Counties, Virtua will pay the monthly subscription fee for one year. This is the Unlimited Basic Plan valued at $199.00. In addition, Virtua will pay for 2 years of past medical history copying charges for each physician. Virtua will also pay for additional copying charges incurred during the one-year subscription service coverage
To Sign up visit: www.zweenahealth.com
1. Click the “FREE Trial Offer” button
2. Use the Promo Code: virtuazip
3. Select Unlimited Basic Plan Option
How can I get my Virtua data into my PHR?
Virtua will soon offer to electronically send your Virtua health records directly to your HealthVault account. These records will include labs, medication lists, discharge summaries and instructions, and other information collected while you were seen by Virtua providers. More information about Virtua Connect will be available soon. Once the data is in HealthVault, it is accessible or viewable through the Virtua Health Manager.
What is Microsoft HealthVault?
HealthVault is just that...a vault. It is a secure database that underpins the Virtua Health Manager and Zweena PHR since it’s the actual location where your data is stored. Microsoft HealthVault has extensive security and privacy features so you can be assured that your health care information is safe. The data that appears in your Virtua Health Manager and Zweena PHR accounts is sourced from the underlying HealthVault database. This minimizes the amount of times you need to enter and re-enter data.
There are approximately 75 health organizations with Internet-accessible software applications that connect to HealthVault, including those from national retail pharmacies and diagnostic laboratories. Like the Virtua Health Manager and Zweena PHR, these applications connect directly to your HealthVault record. You can also connect health devices to your personal computer to send information to your HealthVault record like blood pressure and blood sugar levels. In order to use HealthVault you must have a LiveID or an OpenID account. This same Live ID or Open ID is what you’ll use to access your accounts with the Virtua Health Manager or Zweena PHR. So, only one user name and password to remember! To find out more, visit http://www.healthvault.com today.
How much does it cost?
The Virtua Health Manager is free. Creating a HealthVault Account is free. For a limited time you will be able to have Zweena collect your records and enter in your health data for free.
Why is Virtua making this health technology available?
Just a few short years ago many people doubted the value of using the Internet for banking, investing or trading. Today, the Internet is a major vehicle in banking and finances; expectations are clear and people want information at their fingertips.
Virtua is on the leading edge of healthcare technology. Other hospital systems such as Kaiser Permanente, Mayo Clinic, and Cleveland Clinic are offering their patients online access to their medical records. Virtua believes that patients will benefit from having their health care information available anywhere, anytime. Fostering an environment for healthcare collaboration between patient and physician or patient and family member is one of our many goals. We believe educating our patients and providing medical information through an online tool supports our mission of patient satisfaction and patient safety, too.
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