Saving Time and Improving Health:

On any day of the year, someone is often making the decision to get healthy by making better lifestyle choices. Did you know that as a Kettering Health Network employee, you have a free, online health management tool at your fingertips? That tool is DaytonHealthKonnect, the KHN Individual Health Record (IHR).

DaytonHealthKonnect is a secure and confidential online tool that allows you to view your health information anytime and anywhere. Assessing and tracking your health history is a key part to becoming healthier.

IHR gives users access to their test results, often days before a physician’s office would call or fax outcomes. The tool also sends reminders to schedule tests, and gives you the option to request prescription refills online, e-mail a question to a KHN pharmacist and much more.

Many employees and their spouses are already taking advantage of IHR and seeing results. The reminders and convenient access to information make it easier for them to proactively manage their health and their families’ health.

Bobby Kozee, Central Transportation
Kettering Medical Center
Until recently, Bobby had never heard about the IHR. During a DaytonHealthKonnect health fair, Lori Thomas, DaytonHealthKonnect support assistant, showed Bobby how easily he could view and browse his medical information, and he knew the IHR was right for him.

Bobby and his wife regularly use the IHR to review their own health records. The ability to track the medical diagnoses and medications of their two special needs sons, however, makes the online tool the most valuable to them. Bobby’s five year old has Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, and his seven year old is autistic. Medical records are often needed when visiting new doctors or obtaining assistance.

When one son recently went to a new specialist, Bobby was able to quickly print off his son’s medical history. “It took seconds, just log in, click and print. It’s very user friendly.” he explains. Before the IHR, gathering this information would have been a lengthy process, where Bobby would have to first request the information from all doctors, wait days or weeks for it to be pulled, and then physically go to the doctor’s office to pick up and sign for the information.

Now Bobby says the process is so simple and quick, “The IHR takes a lot of pressure off parents or individuals that need records for themselves or their spouses.” He encourages fellow employees to try it if they haven’t already, saying “you can’t go wrong.”

Bill Crutcher, Security
Sycamore Medical Center
Bill Crutcher’s health has improved remarkably since he first accessed his IHR a year ago. At that time his blood pressure and his “A1c,” a measurement of blood sugar control, were dangerously high. Thanks to the IHR Diabetes Program and easy access to his medical information, these levels have dropped significantly.

Bill achieved success by taking an active role in managing his health. “When you go to doctors, they’ll say you need to check this and this and that. It goes in one ear and out the other. You may not know how to pronounce or spell something right,” he says. With the IHR, however, Bill was able to go online to view the exact spellings and terminology in his test results and other records. He then researched aspects of his health online and in books. Armed with information, Bill took steps to improve his lifestyle.

The results were astounding. Bill’s blood pressure is 126/77 instead of 208/118, and his A1c level has fallen to 6.1 from 12.3. As a result, his daily medications have been reduced by more than half. This is a significant cost savings, especially when coupled with the 50 percent prescription discount Bill receives through the IHR Diabetes Program.

While cost savings are nice, improved health is the most valuable result for Bill from using his IHR. He simply feels better and says he is “looking forward to doing even better.”

View Bill's story and other IHR videos at http://dhkvideos.org.

Join Bobby, Bill, and the 3,200 Network employees who have logged on to DaytonHealthKonnect. Visit www.daytonhealthkonnect.org to create your IHR account. You only need your Anthem ID card to register.