Monday, February 27, 2012

Revamped portal helps patients take charge

Technology has changed the way we do nearly everything, from how we watch TV to how we keep in touch with our friends, and even how we manage our health and wellness. CoxHealth has long been a leader on this front – in 2007 our Information Technology department earned the prestigious GE Innovator Award for Patient Express, one of the first online portals allowing patients to actively manage their health. To date, thousands of people have signed up to use this tool.

In December, the IT Internet Services team launched the newest version of this service, now called CoxHealth Express, with enhanced features and an even more user-friendly format. CoxHealth Express still includes many of the features people liked about Patient Express, including eVisits. It also adds new functionality, including the ability to schedule a physician’s appointment online with some of our clinics, the ability to view your lab results and more. 


Dr. Louis Krenn, chief medical information officer and physician at CoxHealth Center Willard, says he’s seen utilization of the portal increase dramatically since it re-launched as CoxHealth Express. He says the tool offers a number of benefits, but the most important is how it allows patients to take charge of their health care. 


“CoxHealth Express gives our patients the information they need to be better prepared for their appointments, take ownership of their health and really become an active partner in their care,” he says. 


The portal offers even more if you are a member of the CoxHealth Wellness program. Members use CoxHealth Express to access Wellsuite, the new online tool for managing your wellness. Wellsuite features an activity tracker, online tutorials for areas of health concern, a calendar of events and more.
Future upgrades to CoxHealth Express will include the ability to register online for classes, manage your Fitness Center membership and pay your hospital or physician bill.


If you had an existing Patient Express account, your information rolled over to CoxHealth Express. If you don’t have an account, you can sign up for CoxHealth Express at coxhealth.com, or through your Regional Services or Ferrell-Duncan physician.