The Benefits of Keeping Your Health Records Online: How It Can Save Your Life
In today’s fast-paced world, keeping track of your health records can be a daunting task. However, with the advancements in technology and the increasing use of online resources, it is now possible to store your health records online. This has numerous benefits, including the potential to save your life in case of an emergency. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of keeping your health records online and why it is crucial to do so.
What are Online Health Records?
Before we discuss the benefits of online health records, let us first understand what they are. Online health records, also known as electronic health records (EHRs), are digital versions of your health records. These may include medical history, test results, prescriptions, and other relevant information about your health. These records are stored in secure online databases and can be easily accessed by you, your doctor, or other healthcare professionals.
The Benefits of Keeping Your Health Records Online
1. Accessible from Anywhere: One of the most significant benefits of keeping your health records online is that you can access them from anywhere at any time. This means that you can easily share your health information with doctors, nurses, or other healthcare providers, no matter where you are. Moreover, in case of an emergency, your health records can be easily accessed by medical professionals, which can be lifesaving.
2. Safer than Paper Records: Online health records are safer than traditional paper records, as they are stored in secure digital databases. This eliminates the risk of damage or loss due to natural disasters, theft, or human error. Moreover, online health records can be encrypted, making it impossible for unauthorized individuals to access them.
3. Better Coordinated Care: With online health records, your healthcare providers can easily coordinate their efforts, leading to better quality care. This is because all relevant information about your health is available in one place, ensuring that healthcare professionals have access to accurate and up-to-date information.
4. Improved Communication: Online health records can improve communication between you and your healthcare providers. You can easily send and receive messages, make appointments, and access test results online. This enables you to be more involved in your healthcare, leading to better health outcomes.
Case Study: Online Health Records Save Lives
In 2018, a man in New York City suffered a serious allergic reaction and was rushed to the hospital. However, the man was unable to speak due to swelling in his throat, and there was no record of his medical history on file. The hospital staff was unsure of how to treat him, and his condition worsened. Fortunately, the man’s girlfriend remembered that he had stored his health records online, and was able to access them on her phone. The information in the records helped the hospital staff provide the necessary treatment, saving the man’s life.
Conclusion
Keeping your health records online has numerous benefits, including accessibility, safety, coordinated care, and improved communication. As we have seen in the case study, online health records can even save your life in an emergency. Therefore, it is crucial to take advantage of the technology available to us and store our health records online. By doing so, we can ensure that our healthcare providers have easy access to accurate and up-to-date information, leading to better health outcomes.
