Presentation: Accessing Your Clinicians’ Complete Visit Notes via kp.org

Homer Chin, MD, Former Associate Medical Director for Medical Informatics Northwest Permanente, PC Kaiser Permanente Northwest has been an early pioneer in the development and use of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and patient portals such as kp.org. In 1992 Dr. Homer Chin, a Board Certified Internist, joined KP Northwest’s medical group as the Associate Medical Director for Medical Informatics. And in 1997 an award winning comprehensive outpatient computer-based patient record for Kaiser Permanente was implemented. In 2010, a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine showed the many benefits of giving patients easy access to their full EHR visit notes. This study spawned a movement called "OpenNotes" to provide patients increased access to their full EHR visit notes. In 2014, all major healthcare organizations in the Portland Metro area formed the NW OpenNotes Consortium, committing to opening up their EHR visit notes to patients via their patient portals. KP Northwest Region was the first organization in the Metro area (after the VA) to completely open up their EHR visit notes to patients via kp.org. Patients are now able to view their immunizations, lab results, imaging results, after visit summaries, and visit notes through their kp.org account. OpenNotes has been implemented in all major health organizations in the Portland Metro area and is continuing to expand throughout the US. The latest estimate is that over 20 million patients now have access to their complete visit notes via their healthcare organization's patient portal. Join us on May 24 to learn how you as a Kaiser member can benefit from having access to your full EHR visit notes, and more specifically, how to easily access this information within your own kp.org account. Nick Socotch, Board Member, will also provide a short update on the expansion of information being made available to the patient via KP.org from Telephone Advice calls.

President's Corner

Patti Lawler

Do you think spring will ever arrive in the Pacific Northwest? It’s that time of year where everyone seems to want a Spring Break from the wet, cold winter. Vacations are a huge part of our lives, and most of us reading this are fortunate to take at least one nice vacation each year. I’m so grateful for this ability, and one of my favorite quotes is St Augustine’s: “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page”. I hope you have time to take a vacation this year and enjoy the sunshine that was so slow in arriving this year.

I look forward to our annual Art Show at our May 24th meeting at Town Hall. The creativity of our members is amazing. I hope you will display your works of art, whether it is painting, photography, jewelry making, quilting, pottery,  woodworking, stained glass or ??? Just let Peggy McClure know so we have enough room to display your art.

The Board is constantly interested in your ideas for our organization and welcomes your input.
Please feel free to contact any one of the Board members listed on the last page.

KaPeRs Luncheon

Thursday, May 24, 2018 at 12 noon
Town Hall, 3704 N. Interstate Ave.,
Portland, OR — Ballroom

Dates to Remember (Please mark your calendars)

General Meetings 12 noon
Thursday, May 24 (Town Hall)
Wednesday, Sept. 26 (Monarch Hotel)
Thursday, Dec. 13 (Monarch Hotel)

Board of Directors 11:30 a.m., Town Hall
Thursday, Aug. 9
Thursday, Nov. 8

KaPeRs Retiree Art Exhibit

     The 5th annual KaPeRs Retiree Art Exhibit will be held at the general meeting on May 24, 2018.
     Past exhibits have featured a variety of mediums including watercolors, photography, stained glass, pottery, quilting, jewelry and needlework. Pictures of past exhibits are available on the website, www.kpnwretirees.com. Town Hall will open at 11:30 for attendees to have an opportunity to view the displays and visit with the artists. 
     To sign up to exhibit your artwork, please contact Peggy at peggy.mcclure@gmail.com or by phone at 503-453-2089. 
     The exhibit is for art by members only (not to include spouses, children, or other family members). It is also for exhibition only. Business cards may be made available for possible sales outside the meeting.  
     Space is available, so please let Peggy know right away if you have art to display.

In Memoriam

Nancy Blackler
Carol Leeds Harvey
Bruce W. Holmgren
Patrick E. Maharg, M.D.
Richard Romaine, M.D.
Robert Vann, M.D.

Want to Reach Out and Find Someone?

Lost contact with an old friend from your working days? Perhaps KaPeRs can help you get in touch. Send your contact information in an email to kapersmembers@comcast.net along with the name of the person you would like to locate. If we have details on that person we will contact them, tell them about your interest and ask if it is O.K. for us to send
their information to you.

KaPeRs Needs Your Help

KaPeRs is unique. There are no other retiree groups as robust as ours in any other KP region. And there are no membership dues for participation. Thanks to the many members who have guided this group for more than 25 years, our quarterly gatherings have been (to quote 1985 President Dr. Paul Trautman) “…pleasant visits with your KP family…learning about new developments and recent improvements….a moment of fellowship and warmth.” Today KaPeRs is that and so much more: it’s the Arts Exhibit, day trips, workshops, engaging and diverse presentations, a Website, and community giving  projects. Our operating expenses continue to rise and even with assistance from Kaiser we find ourselves in need of funds to maintain low-cost luncheons, and the quality and the quantity of programs our members enjoy. We are reaching out to you for assistance. If you can help, please send a donation of any size (payable to KaPeRs) to KaPeRs, P0 Box 2732, Tualatin, OR 97062. Thank you very much for your help in supporting KaPeRs, our one-of-a-kind organization.

KaPeRs Making Changes !!

Over the years the cost of producing and mailing the quarterly newsletters has steadily risen and your Board of Directors has been brainstorming ways to more efficiently get the newsletters out to our 3700+ members. Our current process is labor intensive and costly. The newsletter is KaPeRs’ primary means of communicating with our members and we are mindful of the importance of continuing its publication.
     While we appreciate the financial support we have received for many years from KPNW and KaiPerm Credit Union, their budgets are impacted by rising costs as well. Their financial support could be put to use keeping the cost of luncheons down as well as providing high-quality programming and events of interest to members, rather than postage, paper and printing costs. Therefore, your Board of Directors has decided that, beginning no later than July, 2018, the newsletter will be available primarily by email and on our website. We realize that not everyone has a computer, and visiting our website is not an option. So, for $10 per year, those members can continue to receive a paper copy.

Here are your options:

1. Pay $10 per year to continue receiving paper copy. Make check out to KaPeRs, and send to KaPeRs, P.O. Box 2732, Tualatin, OR, 97062, with note, “Subscribe to Newsletter”.
2. To switch from paper to email delivery, send email address to kapersmembers@comcast.net with subject line, “KaPeRs Newsletter” Current email address will also allow you to receive communication throughout the year from the updated KaPeRs website, like meeting reminders and special events.
3. If you already receive the newsletter by email, you will continue to receive it that way, unless you send an email to kapersmembers@comcast.net, asking to stop receiving it.
4. If you currently receive the paper newsletter and don’t want it anymore, do nothing, and your name and information will be moved to an “inactive” list. You will no longer receive the newsletter by paper, but can still access it online at kpnwretirees.org and can always send an email later to kapersmembers@comcast.net requesting email delivery.
5. The deadline for taking one of the actions above is July 1, 2018.
6. If you have questions, please reach out to one of the Board members.

Events Coming Up

LEARN ABOUT LOCAL HISTORY IN TROUTDALE
May 11 2018, 10 a.m.
Meet at the Barn Exhibit, 732 E. Historic Columbia River Highway, Troutdale.
Troutdale was a bustling rail stop from the time that trains first traveled east from Portland along the Columbia River in 1882. After the original depot burned in 1907, it was replaced by the current depot, which was acquired from Union Pacific Railroad in 1976 and moved across the tracks to its current site on the Historic Columbia River Highway. The
depot, a Troutdale Historic Landmark, houses train memorabilia and includes a 1955 Union Pacific caboose.

Volunteers built a barn in the style of a 1926 Troutdale barn. The current exhibit is King of Roads Exhibit about the struggles, hardships, and triumphs of building the Columbia River Highway. Th e Harlow House was built in 1900 by a son of Capt. John Harlow and was acquired by the Troutdale Historical Society in 1979. It is maintained as a turn of the century home representing the kinds of furniture and belongings typical of local families.

After we tour the buildings/exhibits, there are many choices for lunch in Troutdale. We will provide information on the options to those who wish to join others for lunch. When you sign up, we will provide directions and find out who would like to carpool. To register, please notify Peggy McClure at peggy.mcclure@gmail.com

Your Kids Don’t Want Your Stuff

KP Town Hall | June 21, 10-11:30

“As baby boomers grow older, the volume of unwanted keepsakes and family heirlooms is poised to grow — along with the number of delicate conversations about what to do with them. According to a 2014 United States census report, more than 20 percent of America’s population will be 65 or older by 2030. As these waves of older adults start moving to smaller dwellings, assisted living facilities or retirement homes, they and their kin will have to part with household possessions that the heirs simply don’t want.”
     Jill Viglione, a professional organizer with years of experience, will lead a workshop on Thursday, June 21 at Town Hall, 10–11:30 a.m., to discuss how to think about de-cluttering, downsizing, and organizing.

Please sign up by June 10 by using this form:

==============================================================
SIGN UP FOR DE-CLUTTER/ORGANIZATION WORKSHOP, JUNE 21
Name:
Email:
Phone:
____ My check in the amount of $5 is enclosed.

===============================================================

To register, please make your check for $5, payable to KaPeRs and mail this form by June 10 to: KaPeRs, P.O. Box 2732,
Tualatin, OR 97062. More...

Keeping in Touch

Jane Walker wants to thank Adrienne Borders for stepping up to take over the newsletter editor position. They will be working together the rest of this year and Adrienne will take over next year. Jane is working on creating an online business. If you have a small business or want information about making a lifestyle change with your own business, send her an email at lois246@aol.com and include your home address for a free book that explains what she’s doing. Be sure to use the subject line, “Business.”

Thomas J. Gates: Thirteen Santa engagements (December 2017) in Lower Columbia Region; clients included Cub Scouts, Masonic Lodge, Youth & Family Organizations & private family gatherings; holiday appearances are my main focus throughout the year.

February Luncheon Highlights

Tami Hillstrom and Treena Bello, from the Regional Contact and Telehealth Center, gave a presentation explaining how technology has changed our lives and health care delivery. Telemedicine is making care more accessible for patients in our region.

The following people received gift cards in the quarterly drawing:
• Margaret Fortsch
• Bill Harris
• Carolyn Jeffries
• Vernon Jones
• Sandra Larson
• Mike Lassi
• Pauline Petterson

Board of Directors Actions

April 2018 Board meeting
1. The Board will be exploring options for holding the General Meetings at locales other than Town Hall to accommodate larger groups, to provide ample parking and to be more affordable. The May meeting will be at Town Hall, but both the
September and December General Meetings this year will be held at the Monarch Hotel, which was well received as a venue for last December's luncheon.
2. The Board continues to address how it can help retirees navigate the KP Retirement Center to resolve their issues; in February, Board member Judy Collinsworth began serving as the point person for KaPeRs members to seek assistance
from, either just before or after the General Meetings.
3. The Nominations Committee is recruiting to fill a number of Board positions in 2019, as six members are stepping down at the end of 2018. Contact Peggy McClure, Mike Kinard or any Board member if you would like to serve.
4. The Board's Executive Committee will be selecting the beneficiary of this year's Community Giving, aligning its choice with KP's Community Benefit guidelines.

Online Newsletter

Sign up to receive KaPeRs Newsletter online. Adobe Acrobat Reader is needed to read it and can be downloaded for free from the Internet. You may request email delivery of a PDF file to your email address. Click the button below to enter your information.