Multicare program offers patients hands-on access to their records

Susan Schell

of the Gateway

MultiCare Health System has made patients’ access to records easier than ever. With MyChart, the health system’s newest online innovation, patients can book appointments, request medication refills and view their medical information and results.

The site is a secure Web portal provided for free.

MyChart is an enchanced version of a previous system called My MultiCare that includes proxy access, which enables parents, guardians and other caregivers to request a referral, pay a bill online, print wallet cards, schedule appointments and receive important reminders on behalf of their children or someone under their care.

All MultiCare primary care providers and various community providers are participating in the system.

MultiCare patient Mort Barish said he’s a “big fan” of the new system.

“You’re always anxious to know what your results are going to be,” he said. “With this, as soon as the doctor gets it, we’ve got it.”

Barish said the system is user-friendly and menu-driven, and it helps the patient find what they’re looking for.

Barish said he’s suffered a multitude of health problems over the years — four different types of cancer, lymphoma and melanoma. He recently underwent rotator cuff surgeries and a series of blood tests.

“I’m a walking case history,” he said. “I use it (MyChart) for everything, (including) checking appointments, but mostly to get a complete rundown on diagnostics. From an emotional standpoint, if it’s something serious — if you’re trying to find out if something is life-threatening, as soon as they get the info on the computer, you’ve got it. The doctor just has to write the shortest note and doesn’t have to go through a long explanation.”

Barish’s wife, Karen, said she enjoyed having her tests sent to her. She said she can access them at any time, and it helps cut down on paperwork. She also said it helps her keep track of the medications she’s taking, and it helps health care professionals see them, too, in case a patient is unable to explain what they’re taking.

“Let’s say you get in an auto accident,” she said. “That is very comforting to know they can just look online and see.”

The online system allows patients to have up-to-date health information alongside their health history for comparison.

“I had a blood test done last week, and I can look and see exactly where I’m at,” Karen Barish said. “It gives you the parameters of what is normal and see where you fall within those parameters. You can save it for years and compare it with records from years past. It’s full of information and a great resource.”

Donna Douglass also sees the benefits of the system as not only having results at her fingertips, but having the resource of her record available for instant review by health care professionals.

“You don’t always remember everything,” she said. “It’s totally helpful. I don’t have to repeat everything over and over again.”

Douglass said the program eliminates the constant hit-and-miss game of trying to contact busy doctors.

“I think it’s really wonderful because you can get the information whenever you want to, at your convenience, without calling the doctor’s office,” she said. “The results are posted in your chart. You get instantaneous results, and you’re not sitting around thinking, ‘Oh Lord, what have I got now?’ ”

Douglass, 70, has been able to follow the results of her cholesterol tests and keep tabs on it with MyChart. She bucks the common belief that senior citizens are technophobes.

“We’re not all scared of a computer,” she said. “I’m intrigued with having that kind of communication. I don’t have to bother them on the phone with something I don’t need right away. I don’t pretend to be a techie, but I sure enjoy the convenience.”

Primary care providers in east Pierce County are the newest providers to offer the service. Patients who are interested in signing up for MyChart may request an access code at www.multicare.org, a MultiCare clinic office, Urgent Care Center or via mail.

Reporter Susan Schell can be reached at 253-853-9240 or by e-mail at susan.schell@gateline.com.