Saskatchewan residents can now look at their laboratory test results and other health records online from wherever, whenever they need to. Last week the province launched MySaskHealthRecord-a secure website that gives eligible Saskatchewan residents quick and easy access to their personal health information.

"Even if it's bad news, I want to know right away, so I can start planning. And if it's good news, even better. I want to know as soon as possible," shared Rural and Remote Health Minister Warren Kaeding. "And that is the core of MySask Health Record. It's putting your own health information in your hands. It's your data, and you have a right to access that information anywhere, anytime."

"This is a game-changer, giving patients the information they need to play an active role in their health care," Kaeding said. "Some provinces that offer similar programs have delays built in so that people have to wait to see their own personal health information, and some provinces only provide limited lab results or require people to have a family physician in order to sign up."

Keading stated that Saskatchewan is leading the nation with the rollout of MySaskHealthRecord.

"We'll be able to offer you access to your results as soon as they become available. No waiting. No delays," he noted. "Also, other patient portals in Canada don't give the whole picture. For example, they offer limited lab test results. MySaskHealthRecord will give you access to all of your lab test results for the past three years."

Residents who register will have quick and easy access to their personal health information, including laboratory test results, medical imaging reports and clinical visit history, including hospital admissions. They will also be able to add their own personal information to track and generate reports; set medication and appointment reminders; and upload information from health devices such as wearable activity trackers.

"Access to information like lab tests and medical imaging results as soon as they are available," Keading continued. "Also available through MySaskHealthRecord, clinical visit histories, things like when you were admitted to hospital. Personal information added by patients, things like daily blood sugar readings, and blood pressure readings, all captured in one place."

MySaskHealthRecord is open to Saskatchewan residents who are 18 years of age and older. To register, residents will need a valid Saskatchewan health card, plus a Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) driver's licence or SGI photo ID card. All personal health information in MySaskHealthRecord is safe and private. Residents who sign up will only be able to access their accounts through a highly secure, personalized login.

To register for a MySaskHealthRecord account, go to www.eHealthSask.ca.

eHealth Saskatchewan is a Treasury Board Crown Corporation comprised of many different business areas that all share the same overall mission to support and improve health care in Saskatchewan. The organization has been mandated by the province to lead all IT services for the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) and set up a single provincial IT service that supports the delivery of health care throughout the province.

eHealth also collects, combines, stores and manages the electronic health records of Saskatchewan people. The organization also manages a variety of programs and services that give health care providers secure electronic access to important patient information from anywhere in the province.

Health Registries and Vital Statistics are also a part of eHealth. Residents can apply for, update or replace a Saskatchewan Health Card for insured health services and order birth, stillbirth, marriage, death and genealogy certificates. eHealth also processes applications for legal name changes and changes of sex designation.

Canada Health Infoway helps to improve the health of Canadians by working with partners to accelerate the development, adoption and effective use of digital health across Canada. Through their investments, they help deliver better quality and access to care and more efficient delivery of health services for patients and clinicians. Infoway is an independent, not-for-profit organization funded by the federal government.