Kaiser Permanente goes mobile

Kaiser Permanente launched a mobile-optimized version of its member website on Jan. 24, enabling nearly 9 million patients to have 24/7 access to their health information on Android mobile devices. According to the company, this is one of the largest mobile health information connectivity projects in history and is a giant step forward in improving the healthcare experience for patients, no matter where they are. An iPhone app is also expected later this year. For now, users of other mobile devices can access the same set of care-support tools at no charge through the new member website, which is available through smartphone Internet browsers.

Kaiser is one of only a handful of providers offering EHR access to its members in any way, much less via mobile devices. But Kaiser’s mobile efforts go far beyond EHR access. In 2011 alone, more than 68 million lab test results were made available online. The mobile-optimized site and the new app make that information, and much more, securely and easily available to members. Members can access their appointments and pharmacy orders, and they can exchange texts with their healthcare practitioners via the message center – all while on the go.

Kaiser Permanente patients have been able to email their doctors for five years, with more than 12 million e-visits in 2011 alone. The company expects that number to increase significantly with the new app and mobile-optimized site.