WASHINGTON - The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) continues its campaign to expand the use of Blue Button.
On Oct. 1, ONC launched a video competition to create awareness among consumers about having easy online access to their health information via Blue Button - and to motivate them to use it.
Many consumers, especially healthy individuals, have not thought about the importance of having 24/7 access to their health information, according to ONC.
The agency has invited the public to describe, in an entertaining video that runs no longer than two minutes, how they have used the Blue Button feature if they have access to it - or how they would use the information, and what it would mean to them, if they had the capability.
The only content requirement is to mention Blue Button, show an image of the official Blue Button graphic, and direct consumers to the federal Blue Button site (healthIT.gov/bluebutton) to find out more about it. The number of views on YouTube of the video will be one of the deciding factors when judging submissions, according to Lygeia Ricciardi, acting director of ONC's Office of Consumer eHealth.
First prize is $3,000, with other prizes of $2,000 and $1,250. Submissions are due by Nov. 13.
ONC has been promoting the Blue Button feature as a means to view, download and transmit consumers' information, and even send it to a third party if the patient chooses to do so. ONC has encouraged vendors to incorporate Blue Button in their electronic health records (EHRs).
With anytime access to their health data, patients can make sure their providers are on the same page and can better manage their health information by plugging it into applications and tools.
"It can suddenly become incredibly relevant, and potentially life-saving, in case of an emergency and may come in handy if you are traveling, seeing multiple doctors or seeking a second opinion, and you want everyone to know your medical history," said Ricciardi.
Blue Button was developed first for veterans to access their information through their HealtheVet personal record in a simple ASCII text file. More than 1 million veterans have downloaded their information, according to the Department of Veteran Affairs. Military service members and Medicare beneficiaries also have a Blue Button capability, and it is beginning to be deployed in the private sector.
Hundreds of organizations have committed to making it easier for patients to gain access to their personal health information. ONC anticipates more providers, health plans, pharmacies and labs to get involved, she said.
"Since President Obama announced the availability of Blue Button two years ago, VA has worked tirelessly with our sister agencies to make online access to personal health records convenient, reliable, and safe. I am very pleased with our progress," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki, in a recent statement.
