Patient Access to Colorado Regional Health Information Organization (CORHIO)

The Colorado Regional Health Information Organization (CORHIO) is a nonprofit organization that is designated by the State of Colorado to facilitate health information exchange (HIE). As CORHIO has begun work to connect the electronic health records of patients across the state, discussion has turned to patient access to information that is accessible through the HIE. Although patient access to a longitudinal health record has been explored and implemented in other countries, the United States is just beginning this initiative and CORHIO and other HIE programs are starting to explore what this will mean for patients in their areas.;The purpose of this project is to develop a recommended model for patient access to health records available through CORHIO. A literature review was performed to identify relevant information related to health information exchange, personal health records, and patient access to electronic records. This information was then analyzed to determine appropriate recommendations for methods and functionalities of patient access.;The analysis resulted in a recommended model of a patient portal integrated with commercial personal health record (PHR) products. This model includes recommendations for functionalities that can be supported in the patient portal and in the PHR; information in the health record that should be made available to patients; best practices for ensuring patient privacy; and strategies for educating consumers on the benefits of accessing their records online. Additionally, potential solutions for funding the technology are explored and metrics to measure the success of implementing patient access are offered.