Have you ever called a medical practice to make an appointment or ask a question, only to find that they have closed for the day? Ever wished you could fill out the paperwork in advance, rather than juggling it and your child in the waiting room?

When Beth Bish, a pediatric nurse practitioner, opened Bluffton Pediatrics in January 2015, eliminating these frustrations was a top priority. Bish adopted the eClinicalWorks electronic health records (EHR) and Patient Portal system, which gives parents and guardians online tools to complete the child’s medical history, schedule appointments and request prescription refills. You can also use the system to contact Bish with health questions.

“Not every parent question requires an office visit,” Bish explains; “I can answer their questions and determine if they should schedule an appointment.” Parents and guardians enjoy better communication and information management from the very beginning of the patient-provider relationship. Children can be pre-registered online in just two minutes. 

“Using the Patient Portal since day one has been a blessing,” says Bish; “The transition from paper to electronic medical records has been a huge technical and cultural shift for many practices. With a grant from Nationwide Children’s Hospital Foundation, Bluffton Pediatrics was able to go straight to the Patient Portal system to make life easier for families and information processing more efficient for our staff.”

The Patient Portal can be accessed at www.bluffftonpediatrics.com and through the “healow” app for smartphones and mobile devices. It is accessible from any device and any place with an Internet connection. Patient information is secure and HIPPA compliant. It is accessed using a username and password.

Bish notes that her practice receives an average of 1,500 patient emails each month and that the result is “Families feel more connected to Bluffton Pediatrics. They know they can reach me at any time.”

Bluffton Pediatrics is located at 505 E. Jefferson St. in Bluffton. Beth A. Bish is a pediatric nurse practitioner and primary care provider. She provides preventative and acute care for children of all ages.