Methodist Physicians Have a New Link to Online Information

The Methodist Hospital physicians and their staffs now have new browser-based access to patient information via Methodist Health Care System’s intranet home page.

The Hospital Information System, or HIS, provides physicians with access to test results, demographic and insurance information for patients registered in the hospital.

Steven Ameen, director of Information Services Implementation and Support for Methodist, says this Web-enabled access allows physicians easier access to patient information because it is easier to use than previous software programs.

"Using the browser should make access easier to get and use because it was designed to be intuitive so that anyone familiar with a browser can use it without any training," Ameen said.

In order to access the system, physicians will need to download a program from the hospital server. By entering the proper passwords and identification, and following the screen prompts, this one-time-only download takes only a few minutes.

Physicians can also access HIS from their home computers or laptop if they have access to the MHCS intranet, a Virtual Private Network, and the appropriate software available from Information Technology. Software and security enrollment are available for physicians via the Eppright Physicians Computer Training Center.

"We are very conscious of security and maintaining patient confidentiality – that is a major emphasis of this access," Ameen said.

Access to the system continues to be allocated by the MHCS medical staff office. HIS is also available to physicians at Methodist Health Center Sugar Land and Methodist Diagnostic Hospital.

HIS and the Web link training are offered by Information Technology. Call (713) 790-5632 to set up an in-office training session.

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