Wellness is a journey and Aspen Medical Group has made managing health care even easier.  Aspen recently unveiled a tool to help patients stay connected with their medical records, lab results, medications and medical conditions all from their personal computer. The tool, called MyChart, utilizes Aspen's state-of-the-art medical record system to create an online portal for patients. Aspen's collaboration with Allina Hospitals & Clinics allows patients to use MyChart to view their personal medical information from any of Allina's facilities including Allina's 11 hospitals.

"MyChart provides a new way for providers to communicate with their patients," Brad Montgomery, Aspen Medical Group Regional Director, said. "It is convenient and fits well into many of our patients lifestyles."

MyChart allows patients to do the following at any time - from any computer with internet access:

• Schedule appointments, view upcoming appointments and recent clinic or hospital visits, and cancel appointments.
• View their medical history, allergies and current medications.
• Review and graph their lab results.
• Manage their child's health care, including keeping track of immunizations.
• Research health-related topics.

"MyChart provides many advantages to our patients, including an alternate way for a physician to communicate test results back to you," said Montgomery. "When you sign up for MyChart, you are indicating that you prefer to receive your lab results on-line. You are actually giving your physician permission to release the information this way. When the physician sends you information through MyChart it is the same as sending you a letter. Just as you have to open your mail to see what's inside, you have to log on to MyChart to see the results and the physician's note. MyChart is more direct and once the physician has reviewed the results and made a comment, it is delivered instantly, without paper."

MyChart capabilities also have significance for those who travel.

"If someone is going to be traveling, they are able to print off a list of their medical problems and their medications to have with them if they were to seek medical attention somewhere else," said Montgomery "A patient could also access their personal medical information, most recent lab results and immunizations records right from another hospital's emergency room, if that facility has internet access."

The privacy of patients' health information is a top priority for Aspen and access to MyChart and all personal health information is strictly protected.

"The Federal Government has placed very stringent guidelines on the healthcare industry to protect people's privacy concerning medical information," Montgomery said. "Your actual results are not sent to your e-mail account where others might be able to see them. Instead, you receive an email message that there is new information in your MyChart and you go and view it."

The site is password protected and a secure site on the internet, Montgomery pointed out. "As with other passwords, you should not share your password or choose an obvious password that others could easily guess."

Anyone may view a demonstration of MyChart online by visiting www.allina.com/mychart and clicking on "MyChart Demo" on the right side of the page. Patients can sign up for MyChart at the clinic or by printing and completing the MyChart Sign-Up Form located on www.allina.com/mychart.