Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2019 Feb;57(2):98-100.
doi: 10.1097/MLR.0000000000001043.

Inpatients Sign On: An Opportunity to Engage Hospitalized Patients and Caregivers Using Inpatient Portals

Michelle M Kelly  1   2 , Peter L T Hoonakker  2 , Ryan J Coller  1
Affiliations

Inpatients Sign On: An Opportunity to Engage Hospitalized Patients and Caregivers Using Inpatient Portals

Michelle M Kelly et al. Med Care. 2019 Feb.

Abstract

Background: Inpatient portals are online patient portals linked to electronic health records that provide hospitalized patients and caregivers secure access to real-time clinical information and tools to enhance their communication with providers and hospital experience.

Objective: The main objective of this commentary was to provide a perspective that inpatient portals are innovative tools poised to engage patients and caregivers during hospitalization and, thus, enhance patient-centered care.

Results: Inpatient portals are desired by patients and caregivers and may contribute to improved recognition of their inpatient care team, knowledge of their treatment plan and overall inpatient experience. A sociotechnical systems approach is recommended to mitigate potential unintended consequences of inpatient portal use and support effective portal design, implementation and evaluation.

Conclusions: This article highlights the potential of using inpatient portals to engage hospitalized patients and caregivers and proposes next steps to evaluate this emerging technology.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: The authors have no existing or potential conflicts of interest to declare.

Comment in

References

    1. Tang PC, Ash JS, Bates DW, et al. Personal health records: definitions, benefits, and strategies for overcoming barriers to adoption. J Am Med Inform Assoc. Mar-Apr 2006;13(2):121–126. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Schnipper JL, Gandhi TK, Wald JS, et al. Design and implementation of a web-based patient portal linked to an electronic health record designed to improve medication safety: the Patient Gateway medications module. Inform Prim Care. 2008;16(2):147–155. - PubMed
    1. Heyworth L, Paquin AM, Clark J, et al. Engaging patients in medication reconciliation via a patient portal following hospital discharge. J Am Med Inform Assoc. February 2014;21(e1):e157–162. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Vawdrey DK, Wilcox LG, Collins SA, et al. A tablet computer application for patients to participate in their hospital care. AMIA Annu Symp Proc. 2011:1428–1435. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Caligtan CA, Carroll DL, Hurley AC, et al. Bedside information technology to support patient-centered care. Int J Med Inform. July 2012;81(7):442–451. - PubMed

Publication types