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If you’re like me, you find it challenging to organize and file healthcare records of tests, prescriptions, results of previous doctor visits and more. When visiting new providers, you must collect copies of all preceding medical accounts to take to the next appointment.

But what if you could assemble everything for your entire family securely online? 

Many healthcare institutions (including St. Luke’s) use Epic Software for electronic medical record keeping. Hospitals, independent practices, dentists, hospices, medical institutions, multi-specialty groups, payers, integrated delivery networks, retail clinics, rehab centers, skilled nursing and safety net providers utilize the software. U.S. News and World Report said all Medicare Advantage 5-star plans currently use Epic. In short, Epic has become the leading provider for healthcare record keeping.

MyChart is a service offered through Epic Software that unifies your healthcare information in one place. If you’ve been to St. Luke’s Hospital, our Rural Health Clinics, or ambulatory clinics, you’ve likely heard about MyChart.

When you connect to MyChart, you can immediately access your digital healthcare records through a desktop or a smartphone app. That access includes current health issues and upcoming routine appointments, prompt notification of test results, medication and instructions for taking each medication. You can instantly review your allergy list and immunization history and receive reminders for flu shots, physical exams and preventive care procedures. MyChart makes it easy to record personal and family medical history. You can even document your day-to-day health, such as blood pressure, weight and steps by linking personal devices and apps such as Fitbit and Apple Health.

Through MyChart, you can track and compare your child’s growth to others in their age group, graph vital signs and lab results historically, view your eyeglass or contact lens prescription and answer questions about symptoms to receive care recommendations. With MyChart, you can name healthcare designees and upload advance directives and a living will. You can also link your MyChart accounts from several healthcare organizations.

MyChart is more than accessing your information. Emergency providers can access the health information they need, and your provider receives automatic updates about treatment you’ve received elsewhere. In cases where a provider doesn’t use electronic health records, you can share knowledge using the “Share Everywhere” function. Share Everywhere lets you give providers temporary access to your medical records. This person might be a doctor, chiropractor, physical therapist, dentist or school nurse. The provider can view your information using any web browser and securely reply to your health system to help keep your care team informed.

Suppose you’re traveling anywhere, even abroad, and face an unexpected health issue. In that case, you can use Share Everywhere on your phone to send the doctor a code, giving temporary access to your medical record. The doctor can review information such as allergies and medications to make sure any treatment provided is safe for you. You can send some of your health information, like immunizations and drugs, or all your data. 

MyChart safely provides critical health information for patients and providers alike quickly and easily. The app offers nearly everything in one spot for your entire family: your spouse, children, aging parents, etc. Just as important, MyChart is efficient for your providers. I urge you to sign up for MyChart and begin learning about all of the benefits it can provide for you and your loved ones!

To learn more about MyChart, visit MyChart.org/help. To create your account today, visit MyStLukesChart.org.

If you have a healthcare topic of interest or want to learn more about St. Luke’s Hospital, please note me at Michelle.Fortune@slhnc.org. Also, please follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn or visit our website at StLukesNC.org.