Northern California-based not-for-profit healthcare provider Sutter Health is now offering an iPhone application to its patients that enables them to access their medical records. The application, MyChart for iPhone, was developed by Epic Systems. The app interfaces with Sutter's Epic Systems electronic medical records (EMR) system to provide a Sutter Health network patient "instant access to his or her electronic health record" via an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad.

The app enables patients to send secure messages to their doctor, check "most" lab and test results, view appointments, receive health reminders, and access a health summary.

In September we reported that Dean Clinic, a Wisconsin-based healthcare provider, had made Epic's MyChart for iPhone application available to its patients.

"As our patients embark on a new year of wellness goals, Sutter Health is proud to be their partner in health and introduce new ways to help them manage their personal health. Through the MyChart app, we're giving patients the tools they need right at their fingertips," Dr. Albert Chan a family medicine physician with Sutter-affiliated Palo Alto Medical Foundation stated in a press release. "Access to the MyChart app complements a variety of unique patient needs and lifestyles. With the ability to view personal health data and connect a patient with his or her health care provider – where and when they need to – we're putting a patient's health record in the palms of his or her hands."

The app is available to patients of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation, Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation, Sutter Gould Medical Foundation, and Sutter Medical Foundation.

For more read this Sutter Health press release