GRMC Launches Online Patient Portals

Grinnell Regional Medical Center has launched two online patient portals that allow patients fast and easy access to their hospital and clinic records from any computer or device that connects to the internet.

“The new patient portals signify an important step toward improving the healthcare experiences of our patients,” says Heidi Thompson, GRMC information technology director.

“We are encouraging patients to sign up now,” she adds. “The sites offer a personalized, safe, and secure communication link that gives patients the ability to view portions of their medical records, including lab results, immunizations, and more.”

Patient information beginning July 1, 2014, is available on the hospital portal. Historical patient information on the clinic side goes back several years. GRMC affiliated clinics consist of:

§  Grinnell Regional Family Practice

§  Grinnell Regional Internal Medicine

§  Grinnell Regional Orthopedics

§  Grinnell Regional Pain Clinic

§  Grinnell Regional Women’s Health Clinic

§  Manatt Family Urgent Care

§  Deer Creek Family Care

§  Lynnville Medical Clinic

§  Victor Health Center

The national emphasis on patient portals arises from the healthcare reform act, which encourages and gives financial incentives to hospitals and clinics to adopt electronic medical records and provide online patient access to health records.

“By viewing and using their health records on the patient portals, patients can help GRMC and their physicians earn stimulus payments and meet ‘meaningful use’ requirements. We are required to meet benchmarks in order to receive certain financial incentives. Most importantly, we want patients to become comfortable with accessing their own health information,” Thompson says.

The patient portals allow patients to:

§  Access their personal health information online 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

§  View medical history from patient visits. On the hospital portal, information is available for appointments beginning July 1, 2014. On the clinic side, information dates back several years.

§  Contact hospital and clinic staff through a secure messaging system.

§  Read medical education and news and more.

Patients with a valid email address can begin to use the secure, web-based tools now by registering for a secure patient portal account during their next hospital admission process or their next clinic visit. Parents will also be able to enroll their minor children and access their accounts. Links to both portals are available on the GRMC website at www.grmc.us.

During a hospital admission, GRMC staff will ask patients for an email address and provide them with a PIN. Clinic patients can use the last four digits of their Social Security Number to get started. Clinic patients will also receive an instructional guide on how to set up and use their personal site.

For more information, patients contact their healthcare provider’s office staff or contact the GRMC patient portal resource desk at 641-236-2381 or email patientportal@grmc.us.