Ochsner Health System, based in New Orleans, La., announced today that it is the first Epic Systems client to successfully integrate its EHR with the new Apple HealthKit. Approximately 53 percent of Americans have their medical records within the Epic EHR, and its MyChart application is the most used patient portal in the United States.
The MyChart app gives patients controlled access to the same Epic medical records their doctors use, via browser or mobile app. Patients can access their lab results, appointment information, current medications, immunization history, and more to improve their own health. Epic’s EHR will access HealthKit data from the MyChart app, not via direct integration with HealthKit platform to avoid potential HIPAA regulatory and privacy issues
“In the past, we relied on patients to log information, bring it to us, and then we would input the data and decide a course of action,” said Robert Bober, MD, Director of Cardiac Molecular Imaging, Ochsner Medical Center. “Now we can share information seamlessly between patient and physician to allow real-time, accurate analysis of a patient’s health status. This is ideal for patients with chronic diseases such as heart failure, hypertension and diabetes.”
Ochsner was one of three health systems tapped to beta-test the iOS8-integrated application, said Jonathan Wilt, Assistant Vice President of Ochsner’s Center of Innovation. “On Sunday, October 5, we signed up our first patient and were able to successfully import his personal health data into the Epic medical record.”
“Because of the technology breakthroughs that have led to wearables and wireless devices we use in medicine, we have a unique opportunity to capture valuable and robust patient data without the patient always having to come in to see the doctor,” said Milani. “The integration of the EHR with HealthKit will make a major difference in how patients monitor and participate in their own healthcare in the future.”
Additionally, Ochsner was also the first organization to successfully implement Fitbit® and Withings auto-sync integration with MyChart. That means patients can use their Withings wireless blood pressure monitor at home and their blood pressure will automatically populate the Epic chart.