What’s happening with my medical information?
Patients were granted quicker access to information within their electronic medical records through Comprehensive Orthopaedics’s MyChartPLUS, you can now view additional test results and provider notes as soon as they are finalized.
This expanded access is part of the 21st Century Cures Act, which promotes greater transparency in healthcare. Comprehensive Orthopaedics implemented these changes to support its commitment to delivering personalized, coordinated care and to strengthen patient trust. The legislation is designed to help patients receive health information more promptly through their electronic health records, empowering them to better manage their care and communicate more effectively with their healthcare providers.
What records will I be able to see sooner?
Your medical test results and many categories of provider notes will now be available to you as soon as they are completed. This allows you to review:
• documentation from your appointments, including office visits, hospital stays, procedures, and surgeries,
• laboratory findings, pathology reports, and imaging results with associated images,
• progress notes written by your physicians,
• records of phone conversations documented by your care team, including doctors and nurses,
• and additional related clinical information.
Are there limits to the information I can access?
Yes, there are certain specific exceptions. In general, these involve situations where releasing information could pose a serious risk to a patient’s safety, well-being, or privacy, or when withholding information is required to meet other legal obligations.
What if I prefer not to view results before my provider reviews them?
If you and your healthcare provider agree that certain results should be delayed, your provider can request an exception on an individual basis. In those cases, the information will be temporarily withheld for up to three calendar days, giving your provider time to review the results and reach out to discuss them with you.
How does this change affect minors and proxy access?
Proxy access—which allows another individual to view a patient’s health record—will continue, including parents’ or legal guardians’ access to a minor’s medical information through their own MyChartPLUS accounts. In certain situations, adolescents and their healthcare providers may restrict a proxy’s access to sensitive details related to care that does not require parental or guardian consent.
What does this change mean for me?
If you currently use MyChartPLUS, you will be able to view your test results as soon as they are released electronically by the lab. Pathology and imaging reports will now appear once the radiologist has completed their review. Most other medical information is already shared promptly in your MyChartPLUS account and will continue to be available, including scanned documents.
Your healthcare provider will still review all new results and is the best resource for explaining what they mean in the context of your medical history. Please note that messages sent to your provider through MyChartPLUS over the weekend are typically reviewed on the next business day, usually Monday.
What does this change mean for my provider?
Because information is now shared more quickly, you may see certain results before your provider has had a chance to review them. Even so, your healthcare provider will examine the information and contact you as soon as appropriate. Having early access may help you prepare for a more informed and productive discussion when you speak with your provider about your results. As always, if you have questions or concerns about your health or your medical record, you are encouraged to reach out to your healthcare provider directly.
Patient Requests for Electronic Health Information (EHI) Export
Beginning December 31, 2023, in accordance with the 21st Century Cures Act, patients have the right to request and obtain a complete digital copy of their Electronic Health Information (EHI). This information will be provided in a machine-readable format through a secure, accessible link.
Once a request is approved, the Health Information Management Department’s Release of Information team will fulfill it within five (5) business days at no cost to the patient.
To initiate a request, please complete the “Authorization to Disclose/Obtain Health Information” form available on the Medical Records/Health Information Management section of the website for requesting copies of medical records.