Sacramento, Calif.-based Sutter Health has launched an online health service designed specifically for teenagers.
The patient portal, My Health Online for Teens, provides these patients with access to their health records and test results and allows them to renew prescriptions, track immunizations and schedule appointments.
"We know that nine out of 10 teens go to the Internet to find health information, and the information isn't always reliable," said Albert Chan, MD, medical director of Sutter Health's patient portal. "We want to provide a trusted resource for parents and kids as teens navigate adolescence."
Parents also can have partial access to their child's online health record. California law requires certain aspects of a teen's health record remain confidential once the child turns 12, such as reproductive health and substance abuse services. My Health Online for Teens allows parents to still communicate with their child's physician about non-sensitive health information, make appointments and pay medical bills.
Sutter Health launched My Health Online for Teens in September, and more than 2,500 teenagers and 4,000 parents have enrolled in the service.
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