In-depth focus: Kaiser Permanente HealthConnect

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the KP HealthConnect Program?

The Kaiser Permanente HealthConnect Program is a multi-billion-dollar systemwide Kaiser Permanente initiative focused on using a common software system for all KP regions and facilities.

Implementation began in 2003. Complete deployment of inpatient billing, ADT and pharmacy applications should be complete by spring 2007. As of mid-2005, every region of Kaiser Permanente has implemented some part of KP HealthConnect, which includes electronic registration and scheduling, billing, clinical information systems (both inpatient and outpatient), laboratory and X-ray information, pharmacy records and information, and online patient access.

Kaiser Permanente Hawaii was the first region to begin implementation of the system, and the first to go live with KP HealthConnect online for patients in early September 2005. Online patient information screenshot Many online capabilities are in place in the other regions, including e-mail your doctor, view lab test results, view immunization records, order prescription refills, schedule appointments and view past office visit information. All online patient access programs will be available via Kaiser Permanente's member website.

KP HealthConnect will help us provide the best care to our patients and real-time medical information to the doctors, nurses and others who care for them.

Why is Kaiser Permanente investing in the KP HealthConnect Program?

The KP HealthConnect program will help improve the quality of health care provided across our national system. Combining its advanced technology with our clinically-integrated system will eliminate the inefficiencies and error-proneness of paper-based systems.

Patients, doctors, nurses and other authorized health care staff will have immediate access to complete, up-to-the-minute medical records. Those will include test and lab results, prescribed drugs, allergies and interactions and medical history.

Clinicians will also have immediate, real-time access to the latest medical information and guidelines that apply to a patient’s diagnosis, and the fully-integrated system will help eliminate unnecessary repetitions of tests and avoid drug interactions and allergic reactions.

What makes KP HealthConnect different?

Integration of all of a patient's information in a single system. The system links medical information with billing, scheduling, and registration data. That means referrals to specialists can be made on-the-spot, prescriptions are sent to pharmacies electronically, and two doctors treating the same patient from different locations can share information in real time.
Our organizational structure makes us uniquely able to set up a system like KP HealthConnect. We do it all: from handling the administrative side of healthcare (enrolling, billing, handling non-clinical information) to providing the care our members need when they need it.
The size and the scope of the system. KP's sheer numbers make a system like this necessary and make its information important. (8M+ members, ą12,000 physicians, ą150,000 employees)

What is the timeline for KP HealthConnect system development and deployment?

As of November 2006, KP HealthConnect's clinical systems (inpatient and/or outpatient information available to Kaiser Permanente clinicians) are in place or being implemented in all Kaiser Permanente regions. Kaiser Permanente's two largest regions, Northern and Southern California, are implementing the system facility by facility and will complete implementation by 2009-2010.

Which healthcare functions will be included in the KP HealthConnect system?

The KP HealthConnect Program includes:

Inpatient and outpatient clinical information and treatment guidelines for physicians
Pharmacy operations and information
Patient registration and scheduling with providers
Emergency and operating room access
Online access for members and health care providers
Inpatient and outpatient billing