Health IT

14 healthcare organizations commit to new tool for improved patient health record access

Called the Health Record Request Wizard, the tool streamlines the process patients go through when they want to request their medical records.

3D rendered Illustration of MiniToy network in spectrum colors symbolizing variety of input, connected to a central node

A group of 14 healthcare organizations has united to launch a new tool, the Health Record Request Wizard, which aims to help patients more easily access their health records.

The capability was released last week at the Biden Cancer Summit in Washington, D.C. Its development was supported by a grant from the Commonwealth Fund.

Traditionally, if a patient wants his or her medical records, he or she has to complete confusing paperwork. The process to obtain electronic formats of the records can be time-consuming and complicated.

With the Health Record Request Wizard, the experience is more streamlined. The tool uses branch logic and skip patterns to help consumers ask for what they need, in which format they’d like to receive it and by when. Patients are asked for their phone number, date of birth, a picture of their ID and more. The request results in a HIPAA-compliant document delivered to the healthcare provider’s medical records specialist.

The capability was researched and developed over a year-long period. It builds upon the American Health Information Management Association’s previous model for requesting health record access.

The Health Record Request Wizard was tested with consumers and health information management professionals, and interested parties can try out a prototype at healthrecordwizard.com.

The following organizations have committed to using the tool:

  • AHIMA
  • CareJourney, a healthcare analytics company
  • CARIN Alliance, a group focused on helping consumers get and share their digital health information
  • Ciitizen
  • CIOX, a health information management business
  • Door County Medical Center
  • Marshfield Clinic Health System
  • National Partnership for Women & Families, a nonprofit organization that promotes quality healthcare and other policies supporting women and families
  • NewWave
  • Norton Healthcare
  • Swellbox, a startup helping people gain access to their health information
  • Texas State University Department of Health Information Management
  • University of Wisconsin HIM and Technology Program
  • X4 Health, a company dedicated to accelerating healthcare’s quadruple aim

“The Wizard is a true consensus-driven reference implementation for something we so desperately need — an easy way for patients to request digital copies of their health data in the form and format of their choice,” Aneesh Chopra, president of CareJourney and former U.S. CTO, said in a statement. He also served as an advisor on the Wizard project.

Photo: TonisPan, Getty Images

Shares0
Shares0