An electronic health record (EHR) is a digital file that contains all your personal health information.
Tips & Links
The goal of the electronic health record EHR is to improve the coordination of your care by giving health care professionals accurate and up to date information. In BC, your paper medical health record (MHR) is being transferred into an EHR in your physician’s office, clinical and hospital settings.
Learn About
- Learn more about your electronic health record from Healthlink BC.
- Know that the items in your EHR come from different sources. The medical services plan (MSP) tracks your use of medical and specialist care as well as hospitalizations and diagnostic tests. PharmaNet tracks your medications. However, there are gaps in the systems when you receive care from providers not in the MSP network or take non-prescription over the counter drugs and supplements.
- Understand that an electronic health record is owned by a physician, specialist, clinic, or health authority. To date, EHRs in BC use different platforms meaning that not all clinics or services are connected to your hospital EHR.
Things You Can Do
- Understand that you are often the only one who has the complete story of your health history and journey.
- Know how to access your health profile when you are at a medical visit or during hospital admission. Make sure you share any changes or updates of your health profile with your physician or nurse practitioner so it is entered into your EHR.
- Learn about your rights to privacy and confidentiality from Healthlink BC.
- Understand that your private health information is protected by policies laid out by the Ministry of Health.
- Choose a health advocate to help you keep track of your health information and ensure your health profile is updated.
- Always confirm your personal health information in your EHR when you are being asked questions at a medical visit or hospital admission.
- Keep your health profile up to date. Ensure you include all allergies, medications, supplements, vitamins, herbs, over the counter drugs, alcohol use and recreational drug use in your medication list. Keep your health conditions, surgical history, infectious diseases, and vaccination record information current.
Learn More
- Learn about privacy laws and your personal health information from Aide Canada.
- Access the full text of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) for BC.
- Know that your medical health record (MHR) and your electronic health record (EHR) are owned by the health care professional or agency that created it. To access your personal health information, you’ll need written permission. Learn more at Healthlink BC.
Keep your Health Profile up to date. It is the fillable PDF tool found in My Health Information. Ensure your name is listed on every page and your updates are saved to your digital and print files.
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Categories: My Health Information, Senior
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