What to Know About Accessing Lab Results Online

Starting February 1, 2021, Albertans will have access to 95% of their lab results through MyHealth Records (MHR). Your results will be posted as soon as they are available to your doctor.

This advancement in access to your health information can empower you to be more engaged in your care. Research has shown that 75% of patients who first saw their results online were confident they understood the results, however, it is important that you speak to your doctor about the tests being ordered and what to expect from the results.

Understanding your tests is more important than ever.

Your situation as a patient is unique. What’s considered a “normal” for some might not fit in the full context of your healthcare pathway. Your doctor knows best what is normal for you based on your medical history and current health. Ask for context in advance of getting a test to help you look at results with the right perspective. It’s good to ask why your doctor is ordering a test and how the results will inform your treatment plan. Your doctor will be able to explain any variances you might see in case you get a result outside of what’s considered the normal range.

If you have questions about your results, you can log in to your Brightsquid Secure-Mail account through the MyHealth Records portal and message your clinic for clarification. There are now over 7,000 healthcare organizations with Secure-Mail accounts in Alberta, but if you don’t find all your clinics in the directory, you can ask them to sign up – it only takes a minute.

Access to information can improve patient engagement.

Getting more engaged in your care by using tools like MyHealth Records and Secure-Mail helps you, your care provider and the healthcare system. Engaged patients have been shown to experience improved outcomes, and the most engaged patients cost healthcare 21% less than the least engaged. Clinics using Secure-Mail have saved staff 2 weeks worth of time every year and cut thousands from their office expenses.

Make sure your accounts are connected.

If you haven’t connected your Secure-Mail account to MyHealth Records learn how.

If you haven’t created a MyHealth Records account, it only takes a couple of minutes, and all you need is your driver’s license or government issued ID, and your health card. Once your account is created, you’ll have access to much of your health information such as test results (including COVID-19 results for you and your children).