In-depth focus: Kaiser Permanente HealthConnect

The Kaiser Permanente HealthConnect program integrates the clinical record with appointments, registration and billing to deliver improvements in care delivery and patient satisfaction across the Kaiser Permanente organization.

Key points about KP HealthConnect:

Privacy of information is a top priority in designing and implementing KP HealthConnect. The design of the software ensures that sensitive medical information will be protected. (See the KP HealthConnect Privacy and Security FAQ for more information.)

Patient Safety will be enhanced by KP HealthConnect. Drug interactions and allergic reactions will be prevented by software that knows what medications the patient is taking and checks for conflicts. A patient's medical history will be available to every clinician who is involved in that patient's care--at the same time--even if the doctor is in Georgia, a nurse is in Colorado, and the specialist is in California.

Relationships and personal care will be honored and enhanced by KP HealthConnect. One of the key goals of the project is to free up doctors' and nurses' time to spend with patients rather than on paperwork. Our own studies have already found that, for instance, having a computer in the exam room enhances communication between the doctor and patient.

KP HealthConnect will help us protect the health of members of Kaiser Permanente. Prevention and wellness will be facilitated by the system; it will keep track of each patient's preventive care needs--checkups, followups--and remind patients and their doctors when a screening is needed. Doctors, nurses and other caregivers will have the latest research, best information and tools available to care for their patients.

Many Kaiser Permanente member can now access their information online and take care of medical needs online. The first region to have online patient access went live in late summer 2005. Many members can now go online to http://www.kp.org to make appointments, view lab test results, refill prescriptions, view prescription histories, and communicate with their doctors and other health care providers online. Looking ahead, Kaiser Permanente will be adding more features allowing members access to the information included in their medical records, such as a history of visits with their doctor, even the diagnosis at each visit and recommended next steps for themselves and their self-care.