When an elderly family member became ill and was hospitalized, I realized that not knowing the medications that she was taking, was a real problem. My solution was to literally bring the doctors a large bowl containing all of her medications so that they could enter the information into her medical record. The doctors asked questions including her blood type and drug allergies and I had no answers. Although she recovered, this experience brought to my attention just how important it is to have a personal health record for each and every family member.

A personal health record, or PHR,  is a health record that that you keep for yourself and your loved ones. Your health records are in different places and possibly with many different providers – some information may even be stored online. You can simplify life by putting together a health record that will give you peace of mind and provide healthcare professionals with a complete and accurate summary of your health and medical history. You can do this by gathering the following information: 

  • personal identification, including name and birth date
  • emergency contact(s)
  • names, addresses, and phone numbers of your physician, dentist, and specialists
  • health insurance information
  • living wills, advance directives, or medical power of attorney
  • organ donor authorization
  • allergies
  • allergic reactions to medications (including latex)
  • medications (dose and how often taken)
  • over the counter medications and herbal remedies (dose and how often taken)
  • family health history (hereditary illnesses)
  • blood type
  • hospitalizations
  • significant illnesses (dates they occurred)
  • surgeries (dates they occurred)
  • vaccinations (dates they were received)
  • test results from lab work performed
  • physical exam records
  • eye and dental records
  • dietary habits
  • exercise routines
  • track past and present health conditions
  • any other changes in your health

A personal health record does not normally replace the legal electronic health record that your healthcare provider maintains*. Electronic health records contain information about your health compiled and maintained by each of your healthcare providers and usually are not combined. If you see multiple doctors and forget to mention you are taking a drug prescribed by another doctor, you are risking being prescribed a potentially lethal combination of prescription drugs. Many doctors do not keep electronic records and it is estimated that 18% of medical errors are due to the lack of accurate patient information. A personal health record is information about your health and is maintained by you – overall it improves the quality of your healthcare and it can reduce or eliminate duplicate procedures which saves money, your time and the provider’s time. More importantly, keeping a copy of your personal health record in your wallet or purse could help save your life in the event of an emergency where you are incapable of speaking for yourself.

Keeping a personal health record is not only important for your health, it also helps to control healthcare costs. A study from the Center for Information Technology Leadership at Partners Healthcare System in Boston shows that a widespread use of PHRs could save the US healthcare industry between $13 and $21 billion a year.

A PHR is usually kept in paper form. However, with technology constantly advancing, PHRs are being stored on SmartPhone apps, CD’s and USB drives. An electronic PHR makes it easier to interact with multiple healthcare providers. Information in your personal health record can be conveyed to your health-care providers verbally, in print out form, sent by email, or shared over the web prior to office visits.

Click here for a sample of a personal health record. You can use this as a guide and create your own. There are also several online resources for building your own PHR.  This is important to do now, so that you are not caught in an emergency situation without any answers! Having a PHR for yourself and your family members could save a life.

Check out this great short video created by IBM that shows how having our health information connected together for all our health providers is a new concept for a “smarter planet”.

*Every time you see a doctor, visit a hospital, clinic or health care facility a record of your personal health information is kept. This information is compiled into what is known as your medical or health record and is protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, known as HIPAA. It is important to understand that PHRs generally are not part of a provider’s electronic health record and would not be considered legal health records – so they would not covered by HIPAA.

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