Revised Patient Portal more user friendly

OTHELLO - The Columbia Basin Health Association updated its patient portal recently, and CBHA Data Utilization Analyst Alexi Lallas believes it's a lot easier to access and use.

The Patient Portal allows patients to check their medical information via the internet. The system was initially made available to patients in 2012.

At that time patients could request lab results, order a prescription refill from a CBHA pharmacy, use secure messaging to communicate with their medical provider and view key items from their medical chart such as current medications and allergies. Medical bills could also be paid online through the patient portal.

"All of the above is still available," Lallas said. "However, we've added features and links that will make it easier to navigate the portal."

If you don't already have a portal account, you may call the CBHA at 488-5256 and ask to talk to Lallas. All she needs is your e-mail address, and she will send you a temporary password with a link to log into your account.

"The portal home page menu directs you to tabs where you can request an appointment with a medical, dental or vision provider for yourself and for family members, request a prescription refill and view your labs and test results," Lallas said.

A medical provider list is also available. The latest medical news regarding outbreaks of flu and other illnesses locally and regionally will also be provided. Patients can also access this information via their mobile devices.

Lallas has been working with Dulcye Field, CBHA Director of Quality, on this project.

"One of our goals in providing the portal to our patients is to help them manage their health and wellness," Field said. "I love the new feature to request appointments for myself and my children."

Field and Lallas are eager patient portal participants and regularly consult their portal to see lab results, blood pressure levels, etc. The CBHA is adding an incentive to encourage patients to sign up for a portal.

"We plan to hold a drawing weekly for people who are portal users," Lallas said. "The weekly winners will receive a Sonicare electric toothbrush. The contest will run from May 1 through the Adams County Fair in September. At that time we will enter the names of all portal users, including the weekly contest winners, into a drawing for an iPad mini."