An Electronic Health Record (EHR) supports providers in caring for patients across the care continuum – promoting wellness, the utmost patient safety and the highest clinical outcomes.

Sutter Health is implementing one of the largest and most complex EHR systems in the country. Read the FAQs below for more information about Sutter Health’s EHR.

• What is an EHR?
• Why is Sutter Health implementing an EHR?
• When will my hospital/clinic implement the Sutter Health EHR?
• How will the Sutter Health EHR affect the care I receive?
• How will my information be protected?
• Who at Sutter Health will have access to my information?
• What happens if I need to transfer my health records to another hospital or clinic?
• Will I be able to access my electronic health record?

What is an EHR?

An electronic health record is a computerized version of your paper health record. It has all of the information needed to care for you, such as your medical history (e.g., allergies, medications, test results and other pertinent information), as well as your contact and insurance information.

With the Sutter Health EHR, you will have ONE electronic health record that may be quickly accessed by any of your caregivers at any Sutter Health facility.

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Why is Sutter Health implementing an EHR?

Sutter Health is committed to embracing innovative technologies, like the electronic health record, that enable its caregivers to provide the best possible care to patients. The Sutter Health EHR will provide the tools to support physicians and other caregivers in providing the highest quality, most accessible and affordable care to patients. It will also help reduce variation in clinical practice and operations, which is critical in ensuring patient safety and service affordability.
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When will my hospital/clinic implement the Sutter Health EHR?

With a rich history of being viewed as an “EHR best practice” within the national ambulatory setting, all Sutter Health-affiliated medical groups will be on the Sutter EHR system within the next 18 months. Sutter’s first hospital implementation is anticipated in the first half of 2009, with completion of its roll out to all of its hospitals expected by 2015.

To find out when your clinic/hospital will begin using the EHR, please contact your caregiver. All of Sutter Health’s hospitals and medical groups will being using the Sutter Health EHR within the next several years. If you visit a Sutter Health hospital or medical group that has not yet transitioned to the new system, a paper version of your health record will be available.
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How will the Sutter Health EHR affect the care I receive?

The Sutter Health EHR will give your caregivers access to the information they need to provide even better, safer and more convenient care to you and your family.

Some benefits the Sutter Health EHR include:

• Your caregivers will have even faster access to your test results, medical history, medications and prior health conditions, as well as a robust library of the latest medical research at their fingertips.
• The new system automatically cross-checks any new prescriptions your caregiver is considering to ensure there are no negative interactions with your allergies and current medications. An alert message will immediately notify your doctor if there is a potential drug or allergy interaction.
• Your physician will enter orders and prescriptions directly into the EHR versus handwriting them, enabling pharmacists and other caregivers to clearly read the information, which greatly reduces the possibility errors.
• Lab results and X-rays can be sent electronically to your caregivers as soon as they are completed, for immediate analysis, diagnosis and treatment.

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How will my information be protected?

Many security measures, including routine auditing and monitoring of access, are in place to protect your information. These security measures meet or exceed all state and federal laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which mandates that safeguards be implemented to protect patient health information.

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Who at Sutter Health will have access to my information?

As always, the privacy of your health information is strictly protected. Only medical providers and personnel directly involved in your care will access your electronic health record. In fact, our computer systems routinely audit and monitor if and how your information is being accessed.
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What happens if I need to transfer my health records to another hospital or clinic?

Information in your health record may be printed for transfer to a non-Sutter Health facility or to a Sutter Health facility that has not yet transitioned to the new system. Sutter Health clinics that have already starting using the Sutter Health EHR will automatically be able to access your electronic health record.
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Will I be able to access my electronic health record?

Yes. MySutterOnline is an easy-to-use, secure Web site that provides you quick and convenient access to portions of your electronic health record at Sutter Health. With MySutterOnline, you can conveniently schedule appointments online, view your health information (e.g., medications, allergies), test results and more! Ask your caregiver when MySutterOnline will be offered at your clinic.

If you have already signed up for MySutterOnline with your primary care physician, you can log in here.
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