By Staff Reports
(Honolulu)– Kaiser Permanente Hawaii members now have the option to receive text messages from all in-network outpatient pharmacies, thanks to the launch of the new Rx Notifier program. This innovative feature, which notifies patients via text message when their prescription is ready to be picked up, is built into the organization’s ePIMS, a secure electronic pharmacy information system.
Members with Verizon, Sprint, AT&T and T-Mobile wireless carriers are eligible to receive notifications through Rx Notifier. Those who opt in to the service can choose to receive all future pharmacy notifications via text, or take advantage of the program’s capabilities as needed. The service is completely confidential, and no medical or prescription information is included in the message.
Kaiser Permanente’s Waipio pharmacy was the first in the region to test the new system in November, with pharmacy staff signing up nearly 200 members during the first week.
“With the Rx Notifier program, we’re providing our members efficient and convenient pharmacy services in today’s digital world,” said Barbara Kashiwabara, R.Ph., Pharm.D., executive director of pharmacy services for Kaiser Permanente Hawaii. “Our members have access to a variety of methods — online, phone, mail and in-person pharmacy services — to manage the medications that keep them in good health.”
The Rx Notifier program launch follows an October announcement naming Moanalua Medical Center to U.S. News and World Report’s Most Connected Hospitals of 2015–2016, the only Hawaii hospital to make the list. Moanalua Medical Center is one of 159 health care facilities in the nation that utilizes technological innovations — including electronic medical records and data sharing — for better clinical connectedness, patient engagement and patient safety.
Technology Innovations at Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is nationally recognized for innovative health care technology and continues to accelerate the adoption of digital healthcare in the state, most notably a digital membership card feature that allows members to check in for appointments, pick up prescriptions and provide membership information directly from their smartphones.
Other innovations include the “medical selfie” feature, which allows patients to send photos of their medical problems to their physicians, teledermatology, virtual consults and remote cardiac monitoring. Members also have access to Kaiser Permanente’s fully integrated and secure electronic member system, My Health Manager on kp.org, to view lab and X-ray results, refill prescriptions, schedule appointments and email physicians.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente Hawaii has provided total health to the people of Hawaii for more than 50 years, with physicians who are members of the Hawaii Permanente Medical Group, the largest multi-specialty physician group practice in the state of Hawaii. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. Visit kp.org for additional information. Become a fan of good health with Kaiser Permanente Hawaii: Like our page at Facebook.com/KPHawaii and follow @KPHawaii on Twitter.