Apple’s Big Move With Health Records
Over the past decade, we have seen Apple Electronics speed past the competition with technology from phones to computers. It’s hard to live in America without knowing the signature logo or name. This time, Apple is making strides toward providing its users with better and faster access to their medical records. While many patients can only gain access to their medical records from their doctors, Apple is hoping to move past this prehistoric process. Apple plans to introduce this major update with their IOS 11.3 beta. So what does access to medical records over the phone mean for the health industry? Today, we are going to go over how Apple’s convenience to health records will change the healthcare system.
Health Records in the Past
Before this announcement, you could originally get your health records by making a visit to your doctor. You would need information, such as your photo ID, authorization form, etc. In addition, you may have even had to pay a fee to access the records. You would need to know what records you’d be requesting, such as medication list, physical examination history, etc. It also takes time; when patients request their records, it could take up to 30 days, although it usually doesn’t take that long. Your health records also could be at different locations, and it might take time to track down the specific items you would be looking for.
Apple Health App
This process will be changed with Apple’s health app, which brings together hospitals, clinics, and the existing Health app to make it easy for consumers to see their available medical data from multiple providers whenever they choose. Apple and partnering healthcare networks have made it possible to have access to health records, based on Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources. Some of the information available in Apple’s Health app will be allergies, conditions, immunizations, lab results, medications, procedures, and vitals. Users of the app will also receive notifications when their data is updated.
Some of the facilities that will be offering health records through Apple are Johns Hopkins Medicine, U.C. San Diego Health, MedStar Health, Corner Health Clinic, and more. We can expect to see more partnerships in the coming months. For more information on how Apple is teaming up to tackle healthcare, visit https://www.apple.com/healthcare/.