A new online health tool connecting Albertans to trusted health care information and services, other health tools and wellness management tips has been launched.
MyHealthAlberta's 2011 release is the first phase of the $33 million personal health portal (PHP) initiative. Once complete, the portal will give Albertans secure access to their personal health information through the province's electronic health record system.
The site covers nearly 9,000 health topics including information on how to prepare for upcoming medical tests and doctors' visits, approved treatments and home remedies or tools to help determine if medical care may be needed. The content has been reviewed by a panel of Alberta physicians and other health providers to ensure the information is accurate and relevant.
Work is already underway on the next phase of MyHealthAlberta. When completed next year, it will provide secure log-in for individuals who want to track their own personal health data such as blood pressure readings, insulin levels, weight, immunizations, and much more.
When the initiative is complete in 2015, MyHealthAlberta will provide individual access to Alberta's electronic health record system, a first for Canada. Video walk-throughs that will help guide first-time visitors through the many features and tools on myhealth.alberta.ca can be found on the site's main page.
The new Alberta Wait Times Reporting website was also launched. The website shows wait time information on surgical procedures and diagnostic tests including MRI scans, cancer services and hip and knee replacement surgeries as reported by Alberta specialists and facilities. The site allows Albertans to search wait times by procedure, by specialist and by facility and will also show wait time trends over the most recent 13-month period for many procedures.
Information on the Alberta Wait Times Reporting website is compiled by Alberta Health and Wellness from data submitted by the province's urban and rural hospitals and diagnostic clinics.
