Consumers
In West Virginia today, as in most of the rest of the United States, patient medical data is largely stored and transmitted on paper. When compared to other industries, such as banking, this seems outdated and cumbersome - and it is. The West Virginia Health Information Network (WVHIN) will enable electronic exchange of patient information so care providers have access to important patient information in real time. This could mean that your cardiologist could get your health records from your primary care doctor electronically, for example. Additionally, if you are traveling and have a medical emergency, the treating doctor can access your records via computer.
Imagine that you are sick while on vacation in another state and you need medical care immediately. Your doctor can electronically send your medical file to another doctor or to the emergency department so that the treating doctor will be able to securely access your health information in a timely manner.
Ultimately, the WVHIN will enable your care providers to have more complete, up-to-date information about you and you will not have to remember what medications you are taking, the date of your last immunizations, the names of other providers you have seen, and other important information that your treating provider needs to know in order to choose a treatment plan that is best suited for your needs.
Benefits to Consumers for Participating in the WVHIN
- Reduced co-pays for duplicate testing and treatment of medical errors
- Receive improved quality of care due to your doctor having the most current information on you
- Reduced canceled appointments due to results and reports not being received by doctors
- Each time you visit a doctor, you do not have to retrieve your paper medical record and take it with you
- Reduced wait time for lab and radiology results due to faster transmission among providers
- You doctor can access critical life-saving information on you (such as allergy information, medications you're currently taking, blood type, etc.) during emergencies/situations where you may be unconsious