As part of this research paper, I will outline the rationale behind building and implementing a publicly accessible patient portal for a healthcare organisation. I will review the utility, purpose and technology requirements. I will also identify the key employee involvement and tasks of the project to operationalize it and conclude with the highly likely benefits the organization can expect to gain from its use. Despite all the challenges presented in this document, the benefits of this project have the potential to provide the organization with a substantial return on investment (ROI), as highlighted by Heath Bell when he stated: “Portals should be a key channel for engage patients in treatment and get them important health information as quickly as possible” (Bell. 2012) Portals Portals Portals In its simplest form, the basic concept of a patient portal is that it is a website, which has a some form of security built into the process, which allows identified users (patients) to access some level of their health information via the Internet. This access is controlled by authentication methods and the information is personal health data hosted and/or managed by organization (via a database). The amount or level of information accessed by the user is strictly established by the organization and access control via software applications that ensure authentication, authorization and accountability. In a 2013 article, Gary Hamilton discusses the benefits of patient portals and states that they “present many workflow efficiencies for providers, offer empowering tools for patient engagement, and facilitate the exchange of meaningful and relevant information. .. half of the document..." ....is and/or preventive care." (HealthIT. 2013) My conclusions In summary, the benefits of using or implementing a patient portal clearly outweigh concerns related to project delay. If implemented and implemented correctly, organizational benefits can be: • - Reduction of routine administrative practices • - Secure electronic communication with patients • - Medical advice addressed to the patient's needs or conditions • - Revenue Opportunities for Online Patient Payments • - Addressing Meaningful Use and Phase 2 Requirements Along with facility benefits, here are the potential benefits for patients: • - Faster access to personal health information • - Patient autonomy patient with respect to scheduled appointments and follow-up care • - Direct patient access to laboratory results • - Faster access to specialist referrals • - Access to request refills of routine prescriptions