Building Health Literacy by Enhancing Electronic Health Records With Information Connections: A Partnership of Health Science Librarians and IS Departments

Abstract

Linking quality information within an electronic medical record or patient electronic record is not a new concept to health sciences librarians. Over time LATCH (Literature Attached to the Chart), InfoButtons, Clinical-e, Digital Libraries, Ask-A-Librarian, and MyChart information links have brought access by librarians to information resources within the electronic and patient health records. Bringing information to the fingertips of the patient care team members and patients and their families builds health literacy. It offers the opportunity to learn and make informed decisions about diagnostic tests, diseases and conditions, drugs and other therapies. This column highlights these electronic enhancements and the partnerships the health science librarians had with IS departments to bring these to fruition.

Keywords:

• Ask-A-Librarian
• Digital Library
• electronic health record
• health science librarian
• InfoButtons
• information resources
• LATCH
• literature
• patient electronic record

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Helen-Ann Brown Epstein

Helen-Ann Brown Epstein MLS, MS, AHIP, FMLA, has a 50-year career as a health sciences librarian serving as a hospital librarian with clinical outreach and trainer of online searching. Currently, Helen-Ann is the solo Informationist at Virtua Health, Mt Laurel, New Jersey, USA.