The Alliance for Nursing Informatics (ANI) and American Nurses Association (ANA) have been working with the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) to engage nurses to help patients get more involved in their health and healthcare by asking them to be more involved patients themselves. 

In 2011, ANI and ANA joined leaders from the private and public sector and across government at ONC’s inaugural Consumer Health IT Summit event and made pledges in support of ONC’s Consumer Pledge Program.

This year, the ANI and ANA are asking the nation’s 3.2 million registered nurses to take action in their own health, in support of ONC’s Consumer e-Health Program.

The two organizations have launched a national “Ask for Your e-Health Records Week” campaign. The groups “recognize that nurses are uniquely positioned to have an impact on their patients, yet a recent ANI survey noted that the use of personal health records or secure portals is low among nurses,” according to data published on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ website. Those 3 million nurses represent 3 million chances to engage patients. “Therefore, it’s important for nurses to be informed and aware of their right to access their own health information and how to use that information to improve their own health.”

“Nurses’ participation is crucial because they touch every kind of patient in every venue of care, and traditionally serve as patient advocates. So, when nurses experience managing their own health using IT tools like personal health records, they can share their first-hand experience and knowledge with the patients and families they serve, and a big impact on their health can quickly be made,” said Judy Murphy, RN, ONC's deputy national coordinator for programs and policies.