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Hospital apps aid patientsJul 16, 2011 (The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Western Pennsylvania hospitals are tapping into smartphone technology to connect with patients. UPMC and Heritage Valley Health System have introduced apps recently, with capabilities ranging from medical record access to symptom analysis. "More and more, patients want, expect and need to stay informed and connected," said Dr. Dan Martich, chief medical information officer at UPMC. Last month, UPMC released an app that gives patients access to parts of their medical records through their iPhones and iPads. The mobile HealthTrak application allows patients to see test results, review medical histories and medications, and view upcoming appointments. "It allows you to communicate securely with your doctor through your iPhone," Martich said. Future features will include scheduling capabilities and eVisits, a UPMC program that lets patients meet with doctors electronically, he said. Children's Hospital in Lawrenceville released a free app last month for phones with the Android operating system. Children's released its first app for the Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch in March. The app, called ChildrensPgh, is a pediatric symptom checker that features a quick way to call the hospital and emergency department, the ability to request an appointment with a Children's specialist online, links to Children's Hospital's Express Care Centers and more. The app also features pediatric dosage tables by weight for common over-the-counter medications, visual images to help classify symptoms, and first aid illustrations. On Friday, Heritage Valley Health System announced the release of "iHVHS," an Apple iPhone app that delivers real-time patient activity information and assists users in finding services closest to their location. "If you're sitting in Moon Township or wherever and you have something non-emergent, you can decide where to go by quickly jumping on the app and seeing 'there are this many people at Sewickley's emergency department' or 'there are this many people at Beaver's emergency department.' Or 'there is no one at the Monaca Wal-Mart ConvenientCare clinic, so I'll go there,'" said Dan Murphy, vice president of institutional advancement for the health system. Dave Carleton, chief information officer for Heritage Valley, said in the future, the app could include a virtual care card. The cards, which are now wallet- or keychain-sized, contain patient information to speed up the registration process. "We've really got to move in health care to treating people like customers, and giving quick and easy access to customers seeking care," he said. To see more of The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/. Copyright (c) 2011, The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com. |