You now can ask for prescription refills, reschedule a doctor appointment, update your address or view your test results with the click of a mouse.

In July, Columbus Regional Health implemented an innovative medical records system through Epic, a national leader in medical record technology and software. The hospital and all Columbus Regional Health Physicians (CRHP) offices are now using the same platform.

The system has a personalized and secure patient portal — called MyChart — that gives you access to your medical information and allows you to perform many routine health tasks.

“For the first time, our community has a single patient health record,” said Slade Crowder, M.D., associate chief medical officer for CRHP. “Instead of using different systems, all patient information, hospital records, physician visits, lab tests, immunizations, prescriptions, etc., are in one place where patients and their physicians can access them.”

MyChart Patient Portal
Once you sign up for MyChart, you can log in and view your information from your computer or mobile device anytime, anywhere.

“This is a powerful tool,” said Jennifer Marcum, information systems senior project manager. “Patients don’t have to fill out the same information for each doctor they see or wait for doctors’ offices to open to take care of their healthcare needs. They can log on and view their information or send requests to their doctors. MyChart saves time for patients, doctors, nurses and administrative staff and makes sure everyone has access to the most up-to-date information.”

Not only does the Epic system make it easier for you to send and receive information from your doctors, it also facilitates communication among your primary care physician and any specialists you see. These doctors can now view test results or message each other within the system.

Get Started
More than 20,000 patients are already using MyChart to better manage their health. Dr. Crowder hopes that number will grow as more patients learn about MyChart and how easy it is to use.

“This system doesn’t take the place of patients and doctors talking in person or on the phone,” he said. “It’s another way for us to connect. We can send a message that keeps them thinking about their health and taking steps to be healthier. And it helps patients be more engaged in their health and take better care of themselves.”

MyChart By the Numbers

• 8,000 logins per month
  

• 3,500 logins per week
  

• 1,800 to 2,000 patients fill out questionnaires each month
  

• 1,400 fill out a medical history
  

• 35% of patients in the doctors’ offices have signed up
  

You can register online or sign up for MyChart at your next doctor appointment.