Most of us realize that medical records are being maintained for us with each visit to a physician's office, specialist, hospital, dentist, etc.  But how many of us realize that we have the right to access those records, receive copies, and even request addendum's?  And taking this a step further, have you ever thought about keeping your medical records at home - your personal health record (PHR)?  If not, it is high time you did!  Keeping a PHR could be especially important if you travel, have a chronic illness, have severe allergies, or are dependent upon certain medications.  Your medical records are scattered around at different facilities, and it may be very beneficial for you to put them all into one place.  You could do this in a simple 3-ring binder, or on a flash drive, or on a website designed especially for maintaining your PHR.

Think about the value of a PHR for your elderly parents, for your young children, and for the child you are sending off to college.  Visit this website http://www.myphr.com/ for more information, excellent resources, ideas, and a great education about keeping a PHR.  It may take some time to organize your records, but it will be worth the effort in the end!

Cindy Glewwe, M.Ed., RHIA / Health Science Curriculum Coordinator

Rasmussen College, Inc.