RHSHC offers new patient portal

CRESCO - Regional Health Services of Howard County’s (RHSHC) recent affiliation transition to Avera Health boasts many advantages for patient health care, and one of the most helpful is the introduction of the AveraChart app.

The AveraChart app is a free, easy, secure online patient portal that connects patients with both their own records and their health care team. “We’re working to optimize the workflow for patients,” RHSHC CEO Robin Schluter said. 

“Making sure we’re taking advantage of the technology to ensure that we’re making patient’s care easier, not harder.”

The first step to the Avera- Chart app is setting up an appointment with your primary health care provider. At that appointment, you will get your Patient Record ID number and be asked if you want to sign up for the AveraChart app. Your health care provider team will explain the app in detail and give you all the relevant information for setting up your account.

Once this is done, the patient portal offers many useful tools to help you understand and manage your own healthcare. For example, you will be able to send messages directly to your care team, and your care team will respond through the portal. Of particular convenience is the fact that the 

AveraChart app is available 24/7, which allows you to message your healthcare provider when a question occurs to you instead of requiring you to wait for clinic phone hours.

In addition to contacting your care team directly through the patient portal, you can also see lab results, get immunization records, request medication refills and find past visit and patient history. Through your health summary, you can download and/or send portions of your medical history to other parties who have requested it from you. While not available at the current time, eventually you will also be able to make and cancel appointments through the app.

The AveraChart app is free at the Google or Apple App Store (search for “MEDITECH MHealth”), and there is a direct download link at Avera Chart.org. If you don’t have a smartphone, you can also view it at AveraChart.org.

If you require assistance with setting up your account, you can call the help desk at 

(855) 667-9704. Support is available Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.