Skip Navigation

Fort HealthCare Offers OpenNotes® starting January 1, 2017

Community Health
Friday, December 30, 2016

On January 1, 2017 MyCompass, Fort HealthCare’s online medical record, will now provide patients with access to OpenNotes® – the detailed notes written by your doctor during and after every visit. OpenNotes® is a national initiative working to give patients access to the visit notes written by their providers. Fort HealthCare patients who are enrolled in the MyCompass online patient portal will now be able to access OpenNotes® on their electronic medical records. Notes will be available on MyCompass immediately after the clinic note has been signed.

What is MyCompass?

 MyCompass is a secure and confidential way for you to access your medical records online. With MyCompass, you can schedule, view, and cancel your appointments. And when you have a follow-up question after leaving an appointment, you can use MyCompass to send a quick message to your healthcare provider to get the answers you need in a timely manner.

What are OpenNotes®?

You may have noticed your provider typing notes during your visits. These notes summarize what was discussed, the findings, what was measured and the treatment plan. The notes ultimately become part of your medical record. MyCompass will now provide you with access to these provider notes which can help you remember what was discussed during the visit and give you more control of your care.

What kind of information is included in OpenNotes®?

After January 1, 2017, each time you have an appointment or discussion with your provider, he or she describes what happened in a “clinical note.” Notes include such information as:

  • What you and your provider discussed during the office visit, including health problems, the provider’s physical exam findings, diagnosis, and treatment plan.
  • Why your provider ordered a specific lab, test, or prescribed a certain medication.
  • Other information pertinent to the care plan, such as coordination of care, specific arrangements for caregivers, and non-medical needs.
  • What needs to be done after the visit, such as additional tests, follow up appointments or referral to a specialist.

What are the benefits of OpenNotes®?

Fort HealthCare is committed to patient centered care and as such, is one of the first healthcare systems in the country to provide patients with access to provider notes. We know from research that patients who use OpenNotes not only feel more in control of their care, but actually are taking better care of themselves. At Fort HealthCare, we believe that OpenNotes creates a partnership between the patient and their care team that will lead to improved care and more transparency.

How do I sign up?

First, pick a Fort HealthCare provider. You can review our providers at www.FortHealthCare.com/Find  Once you have a Fort HealthCare provider, schedule your first appointment and be sure to tell them at your visit that you want to sign up for MyCompass. An associate will assist you in completing the enrollment and you will receive an email with further instructions once registered.

Learn more about MyCompass and OpenNotes® at www.FortHealthCare.com/MyCompass