HHS tests template for electronic health record

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology is testing an online template for an electronic personal health record that will be tested with consumers through October, according to an announcement.

An electronic personal health record typically includes a person’s health information, including a health history, vaccinations, allergies, test results and prescription information. Several vendors, including Google, Microsoft, Revolution Health and WebMD, are providing tools for such records as a service to consumers.

Because the concept is new and use sensitive information, and because vendors typically offer such information in different formats, the Health and Human Service Department's national coordinator for health IT is developing an online model with the goal of allowing consumers to make informed decisions about selecting and using such records, states a Federal Register notice of May 22. Public comments are due in 30 days.

The model will be developed allow consumers to understand and consistently compare personal health record vendor policies among themselves and to offer key information that may influence decisions on choosing a personal health record provider, the notice states.

The national coordinator intends to test the model in six geographic locations with in-depth interviews with 42 consumers through October.