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Laboratory test results and other health records will now be available online for Saskatchewan residents.

The Saskatchewan government launched MySaskHealthRecord, a website that allows people to access their personal health information including laboratory test results, medical imaging reports and clinical visit history dating back to three years.

“This is a game changer, giving patients the information they need to play an active role in their health care. We are putting your own health information in your hand. You have a right to access that information anywhere, anytime,” said Warren Kaeding, rural and remote health minister.

“Saskatchewan is leading the nation with the rollout of MySaskHealthRecord. Our program gives people access to their lab results, plus other important health information, as soon as it’s available.”

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EHealth Saskatchewan CEO Jim Hornell said the announcement comes after years of work and testing they did, along with TELUS Health and other health system partners.

“Everyone involved in this project shares a common goal — improving patient care. We’re proud of the role we played in creating an innovative and beneficial program that truly puts patients first,” Hornell said.

The program also allows residents to add personal information to track and generate reports, set medication and appointment reminders and upload information from health devices like wearable activity trackers.

READ MORE: Report on eHealth Ontario says patients should have access to electronic medical records

This program was tested in a pilot project in 2016 with 1200 Saskatchewan residents. More than 80 percent of those involved with the original pilot project believed their doctor’s appointments were more valuable because they had the test results in advance. One in five said they avoided primary care or the emergency department because they had access to test results online.

“Patients and the health system will see significant benefits from things like fewer unnecessary phone calls and less time taken off work for routine medical appointments,” said Michael Green, Canada Health Infoway president and CEO.

“More importantly, greater access to information empowers patients to be more active participants in their care, and that can result in better health outcomes.”

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“It has definitely changed the type of conversations that I have with my healthcare professionals. I can go into a medical appointment with my doctor having seen my personal lab results and I can better prepare myself,” said pilot project participant, Tyler Moss.

MySaskHealthRecord is available to those 18 years of age and older. Residents need a Saskatchewan health card, an SGI driver’s licence or ID card to register. After online verification, an unique pin number will be mailed to the address associated with their health card number. The pin generation is to support further security and to assure that people are who they are.

By January 2020, the province hopes to expand this service to include immunization history, prescription history and the ability to share record access.