Physician notes, lab findings, and test results – these are all a part of a patient’s electronic health information. With the implementation of our upcoming new patient portal called MyUTHealth, we’re connecting you to your information more efficiently than ever before. You will be able to easily and securely access your information from your phone, tablet, or computer.
Beginning Saturday, May 8, our patients will have real-time access to their medical information. This means that as soon as our health care team receives any lab or test results on your behalf, you will too.
This effort is in response to the 21st Century Cures Act and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Policies and Technology for Interoperability and Burden Reduction. Simply put, health care providers across the U.S. are making a conscious effort to share data with patients in a more prompt manner.
“My hope is that this information sharing effort will lead to less frustration for our patients. All their data will now be readily available for their own review, as well as their other doctors and caregivers, regardless of the health system or organization they visit,” said Babatope ‘Tope’ Fatuyi, MD, chief medical information officer at UTHealth.
Viewing your notes
In MyUTHealth, you will have access to notes from each visit with one of our health care professionals. Notes are written by your provider to summarize the important information from your appointment. They may contain the following:
- A summary of the visit
- Findings from any exams performed that day, such as blood pressure readings or how your lungs sounded
- Any test results that were shared during the appointment
- An assessment of your condition or diagnoses that were made
- The suggested treatment plan or next steps, as discussed with you
Reviewing test or lab results
In the past, test results or lab findings were released first to a provider, who would then communicate with their patient. After May 8, the below will be shared immediately:
- General lab tests
- Endoscopy
- Mammograms
- Pulmonary exams
- Cardiology exams
Some results will be released to the patient portal after a few business days to ensure they are final.
Choosing to review your results
An important thing to consider is that your health information will be shared with you in real time. This means that you may have the opportunity to review them before your health care team does. You have the choice to proceed or wait to discuss them with your doctor.
Should you choose to proceed and experience any concern, we suggest you write down a list of questions to review with your doctor at your next appointment.
Through MyUTHealth, your connection to your health information will be virtually limitless. As a practice, UT Physicians respects your decision to access your notes, lab findings, or test results whenever you decide.
