Introduction
PocketHealth is a mobile personal health record that is totally under the control of the user. See the Privacy, Terms and Condition section for more information.
PocketHealth incorporates state-of-the art personal health record designs and conforms to health informatics industry standards for interoperability. Much of the complexity is hidden to the user so as to enhance the user experience yet offer a mobile personal health record that can communicate and exchange data with electronic health records in doctors’ offices, hospitals, health information exchanges and care communities.
PocketHealth is designed to allow consumers to store, access, manage and share their health information as they determine as well as connect with information sources and health communities. Future versions will provide support for health decisions and the capability to understand the quality of care received.
How-Tos
When you launch the app for the first time you will be prompted to create a user. You will note that we provide a Remember Me option for convenience. Your health information is encrypted on the device but for added security we recommend that you always use a password when accessing your information.
Data Entry
PocketHealth supports text entry, drop-down lists and data wheels to facilitate the entry of health and medical data into the app. Dates can be entered via three formats of your choice: month/year, day/month/year, or year-only. There are two types of Main Screen in the app: a primary main screen for the overall app that displays each PocketHealth data section for an individual (Overview, Basic Info, Providers, Medical Conditions, Medications, Allergies/Side Effects, Immunizations, Procedures, Lab Results, Radiology Results, Vitals and Measurements, Social History, Family History, Appointments, other Modules purchased). Once you tap on a specific data section for that individual, e.g. Providers, a secondary main screen is displayed that allows you to view, add or edit data for that specific data section. The following are the specific data sections for an individual’s PocketHealth record: providers, medical conditions, medications, allergies/side effects, immunizations, procedures, lab results, radiology results, vitals and measurements, social history, family history, and my appointments. Note: In the Family version the second screen after the In Case of Emergency screen will be “My Family”. Once you tap on an individual name then you will see the primary main screen for that person, as described above, secondary main screen navigation will be as described for the individual record.
In Case of Emergency (ICE)
The In Case of Emergency or ICE button opens a screen that displays a summary of your information that would be useful in an emergency situation. Tapping on the emergency contact’s phone number activates the phone to call that number.
If you access this screen from the login screen you do not have to enter a password.
Individual Record
(these instructions are also valid for individuals within the Family Module)
Basic Information
PocketHealth allows you to record basic information about yourself or family members (Family Module, if purchased). Basic information includes your About Me data, contact information, emergency contact, health insurance and advance directives. Each of the Basic Information sections can be viewed or edited from within the app. In the About Me section you are able to take a picture with the smartphone camera or choose a picture from your Photos for inclusion in this section.
Provider List
Providers include physicians, nurse practitioners, counselors etc., in other words, anyone who gives you care. The app allows you to enter the credentials (e.g. MD) and contact information for these individuals. There is a “Map” button to receive directions to your provider. To delete a provider swipe across their name and tap the Delete button. This will remove the provider from your list, but will not delete their name from conditions or appointments you have recorded.
Medical Conditions
PocketHealth provides for the viewing, adding, editing and removal of your medical conditions. To search for a condition type a few letters into the condition box and smart search will list matches from which you can select your condition. If your condition isn’t listed then select Other, and type it into the Notes box. Date wheels are available to record the onset and resolution of the condition. There is also a check box to indicate whether the condition is active, the active status will be the default so if this isn’t the case simply uncheck the active box. Inactive conditions are recorded and displayed as inactive. A cured strep throat or the removal of your gallbladder for gallstones are examples of inactive medical conditions. To remove a Medical Condition from the list, swipe across its name and tap the Delete button.
Medications
The PocketHealth app is designed to allow you to view, edit, add and remove medications from your personal health record. On the main screen all current (active) medications are displayed individually while past medications are grouped; from the main screen you can add or edit medications. The app allows for a smart search capability from a pick list of medication names. The strength amount taken, frequency and route of administration and prescribing health care provider can be recorded. For special frequency instructions the app allows for free text in the instruction box. An example would be the instructions “as needed for pain”. An example of past medications would be Antibiotics that were used to cure your strep throat. Mark a medication as Past by unchecking the Current checkbox. To remove a Medication from the list completely, swipe across its name and tap the Delete button. If you are no longer taking a Medication, you should edit it and uncheck the Current checkbox to move it to Past Medications rather than delete it.
Allergies and Side Effects
Allergies and side effects from drugs and non-drug origins (e.g. food etc.) can be viewed, edited, added and removed from your personal health record. A pick list of these agents is available in the Medication or Substance box. The app allows you to record the type of reaction (e.g. hives or itching), the severity and the date of the reaction. A note section is also available if you would like to write additional data about the event. To remove an Allergy/Side Effect from the list, swipe across its name and tap the Delete button.
Immunizations
The PocketHealth app provides for viewing, adding and editing of immunizations and vaccinations. A drop-down pick list is provided for ease of use in selecting the immunization received. The app also allows you to record the date of the vaccination and the provider from whom you received the immunization. For recurring or annual vaccinations such as flu you can add new dates while retaining the history of previous immunizations. To remove an Immunization from the list, swipe across its name and tap the Delete key. To remove a single administration of an Immunization, select the Immunization in the main list, then swipe across the provider/date row and tap the Delete button.
Procedures
Procedures can be added, viewed and edited on the PocketHealth app. Each procedure can be linked to a provider, either from your list or you can type in another, and the date of the procedure; the date can be recorded according to several formats of your choice. Two free text boxes are provided so that you can type in the location of the procedure and/or any notes that you might want to record. An example of this would be the recording of a screening colonoscopy in 2011 by Dr X at St. Elsewhere Hospital. Example of a free text entry: “no cancer detected repeat procedure in 10 years”. To remove a Procedure from the list, swipe across its name and tap the Delete button.
Lab Results
PocketHealth allows you to easily keep a record of your lab test results. You can view, add, or edit lab data in the app. A drop down list of lab test names is available in the app and can be linked to the ordering provider as well as the date of the result. The app also provides a list of normal/abnormal selections (e.g. normal, abnormal, increased, decreased etc.). Results can be entered into the Result text box. To remove a Lab Test from the Results list, swipe across its name and tap the Delete button.
Radiology Results
PocketHealth allows you to view, add or edit radiology or imaging exam results. You can link a radiology result to a provider, a date and record whether the result was normal, abnormal, or uncertain. A free text entry box is included so that you can add comments or additional result findings. To remove a Radiology Result from the list, swipe across its name and tap the Delete button.
Vital Signs and Measurements
Blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), heart rate (pulse), breathing rate (respiratory), height, weight and temperature can be added, viewed and edited within the PocketHealth app. The app also allows you to enter the position you were in when your blood pressure, pulse and respiratory rate are measured, e.g. sitting, standing or laying on back. Body temperature source recording is also available, e.g. oral (under the tongue), rectal, axillary (under the arm), temporal (forehead) or other. Viewing of your data can either be by Date or Result. Your can enter your height in several formats; inches, centimeters (cm) or feet/inches. If you choose to enter inches or centimeters the app will only display one entry box, however, you enter feet then a second box for inches will appear. Once you enter your results, they will be converted to centimeters and kilograms for storage and display. BMI (body mass index) will be automatically calculated if all necessary data is entered. Note: BMI is not calculated for individuals less than 20 years of age.
Social History
Within the Social History section of the PocketHealth app you can record (add), view and edit information about your diet, exercise activity, tobacco use, alcohol use and recreational drug use (e.g. marijuana). The Main Social History screen displays a summary of your data for a quick overview as well as adding or editing entries. An extensive list of diets with a smart search capability is provided in the app. Calories, sodium, fat, carbohydrate and protein amounts can be added to the diet section. There is a free text entry box for added detail or information. The type and frequency of your primary exercise can be added, viewed and edited. If you participate in several exercise programs you can record secondary programs in the text box. Tobacco use or lack of use can be recorded, viewed and edited. If you choose ‘never’ you will be able to move to the next section in the Social History section. If you select “current” or “past” the app allows for the recording of the primary type of tobacco (e.g. if you smoke cigarettes and cigars choose which is your primary tobacco product when selecting from the pick list – record the secondary product in the “Notes” box). It is important to also record the amount used, even if you have quit using the product. The “Note” section also can be used for additional information that you might want to record about Tobacco use. Alcohol use is recorded, viewed and edited in the same manner as Tobacco usage. The same procedures are used for alcohol use as are used for Tobacco. Drug Use in the Social History section of the PocketHealth app refers to recreational drug use and can be recorded, viewed or edited.
Family History
The Family History section of the PocketHealth app is designed to capture your family history if you know it, if you don’t there are two options to check: adopted or unknown. For known history the app allows you to record each relative’s medical history at the condition level linking it to the respective family member, their birth date and age at death, if deceased. The age of death will only display if you select the deceased check box. The app allows you to view the data by the person (relative) or by a condition (e.g. hypertension). As with all the sections you can add, view or edit information. To remove a relative from the list, swipe across their name and tap the Delete button.
Appointments
The main screen of the Appointments section lists your health provider appointments by date and time. From the main screen you can view, add or edit an appointment. When adding or editing an appointment you will select the provider, the date and time, reason for your visit and you can push the appointment to your smartphone’s calendar. The app also allows you to store and view past appointments. By tapping the Map button you will be able to view route directions to the provider’s place of business. Note: your location settings must be “on” in your smartphone settings for the Map button to display route directions. To remove an Appointment from the list, swipe across the appointment and tap the Delete button.
Daily Tracking
The Daily Tracking module allows for entry of blood glucose levels and displays a graph with the last 2 weeks data. It also has a link to the Vitals and Measurements screen. To delete an entry from Blood Glucose results, swipe across the date and tap the Delete button.
Family Module
The Family Module upgrade of the PocketHealth app gives you the flexibility to view, add or edit data on all of your family members within one app. The “My Family” screen is the second screen after the login page for this upgraded version of PocketHealth. By tapping on an individual name you will follow the Individual Record info to enter, view and edit personal health data on this person. Primary and secondary main screens will function as described in the individual version.
Export Your Data on iOS Devices
You can export a Continuity of Care Document (CCD) and a report containing your data to share with your care provider or to print and share the report. Open the person whose data you want to export. Tap the More button at the bottom of the screen, then tap Export. The files will be stored into the Documents folder of your device. To access these, connect to iTunes. Click Apps in the top banner of iTunes, then scroll down to the File Sharing section and select PocketHealth. The ccd-NAME-xml.xml file is a structured data file which can be imported into provider health record systems. The ccd-NAME-html.html file can be opened with any browser to be viewed, and can be printed from the browser. Both contain the same data. To share these files with your provider, select them and click the Save To button, then save them to the desired location. The date and time the file is created is displayed in iTunes so you know how current your export is.
Export Your Data on Android Devices
You can export a Continuity of Care Document (CCD) and a report containing your data to share with your care provider or to print and share the report. Open the person whose data you want to export. Tap the More button at the bottom of the screen, then tap Export. The files will be stored on your device at /mnt/sdcard/. The ccd-NAME-xml.xml file is a structured data file that can be imported into provider health record systems. The ccd-NAME-html.html file can be opened with any browser to be viewed, and can also be printed from the browser. Both contain the same data. To share these files with your provider, connect your device to your Windows computer and then locate the files in Windows File Explorer. On a Mac, open Settings on your device and in USB Utilities tap Connect storage to PC. Connect to your Mac when told to. Then open Finder, locate the files, and save them to the desired location on your computer. The date and time the file is created is displayed in the browser so you know how current your export is. For security reasons, you can no longer email the CCD directly from PocketHealth
Delete Saved Exports
Because the export files are not encrypted, you should delete them from your phone once you have saved them to a location on your computer. This will decrease the chance that someone could access your health information. Tap the “Delete saved exports” bar to clear all of your exports from the device.
Backing Up Your Data on iOS Devices
PocketHealth and all of your data are automatically backed up with the rest of your device information whenever you back up your device to iTunes or iCloud. If you do a full restore on your device, it will restore PocketHealth, along with the rest of your applications. If you want to make a specific backup copy of just your health data, such as to restore it after you change devices or to load data from one device onto another, you can do that with the Backup feature. In the More section tap Backup, and an encrypted data file will be saved to the Documents folder of your device. You can access this file through iTunes File Sharing if you want to save it to a location on your computer. To do this, connect your device to iTunes. Click Apps in the top banner of iTunes, then scroll down to the File Sharing section and select PocketHealth. Select PocketHealth-backup.bk and save it to a safe location. You can add this file back to File Sharing when you restore the data to PocketHealth.
Restoring Your Data on iOS Devices
You can restore your health data by using the Restore feature if you have previously saved a backup file. To install PocketHealth and restore your data, you must first download PocketHealth from the App Store. When you register your user name and password, be sure to use the same ones you used to log in when you created the backup file – PocketHealth won’t let you restore a different user’s data. Close the application, then connect to iTunes. Click Apps in the top banner of iTunes, then scroll down to File Sharing and select PocketHealth. Click the Add to button, and select the backup file you saved onto your computer. Sync your device and then open PocketHealth. Tap More, then tap Restore. You will receive a warning that this will replace all current data with the restored date. Agree and proceed to restore all of your health data.
If you want to load your health information onto a second device, first create a backup and save to your computer as above. Next, install PocketHealth onto a second device. If you use the same iTunes account, you won’t have to purchase any upgrades a second time. Create your PocketHealth account using the same user name and password you used on the primary device. Close the application and connect to iTunes. Follow the directions above to restore the data onto your second device. Note that the files will not stay in synch – if you make changes to one device you will need to use this same method to move the new information to your other device.
Backing Up Your Data on Android Devices
To make a specific backup copy of your health data, such as to restore it after you change devices or to load data from one device onto another, you can use the Backup feature. In the More section tap Backup and Restore, then choose whether to back up to your device or to Dropbox. An encrypted data file will be saved to the Documents folder of your device or to Dropbox/Apps/PocketHealth/. The first time you back up to Dropbox you must first link to your Dropbox account. You can link or unlink by tapping the button in the Backup and Restore section. You can access the local backup file using any file manager to locate it in /mnt/sdcard/. Select PocketHealth-backup-LS.bk and save it to a safe location on your computer. You can add this file back to /mnt/sdcard/ when you restore the data to PocketHealth. If you back up to Dropbox, you can leave the file there and the Restore from Dropbox function will locate it automatically. This file will be PocketHealth-backup-DB.bk.
Restoring Your Data on Android Devices
You can restore your health data by using the Restore feature if you have previously saved a backup file. To install PocketHealth and restore your data, you must first download PocketHealth from the Play Store. When you register your user name and password, be sure to use the same ones you used to log in when you created the backup file – PocketHealth won’t let you restore a different user’s data. If you backed up to Dropbox, just tap More, then tap Backup and Restore, link to Dropbox if you are not already linked, and tap Restore from Dropbox. You will receive a warning that this will replace all current data with the restored data. Agree and proceed to restore all of your health data. If you backed up to your device, copy your backup file onto the device using any file manager. Place the file in /mnt/sdcard/. Then inside PocketHealth tap Restore from Device.
Send your data to a second device on iOS Devices
If you want to load your health information onto a second device, install PocketHealth onto a second device. Create your PocketHealth account using the same user name and password you used on the primary device – if you use a different account the security features will not let you import the data. If you use the same iTunes account on both devices, you won’t have to purchase any upgrades a second time. Just go ahead and choose the upgrade and iTunes will not charge you. Be sure both devices are connect on the same WiFi network. Now open the Backup & Restore screen in PocketHealth on both devices. Tap “Send My Data to Another Device” on the device with your data, and tap “Receive My Data from Another Device” on the second device. When the destination device name appears on the sending screen, select it. You will see a message asking if you want to receive the data on the second device. Accept the alert, and you will see a message when the data have been imported. This will replace any existing data on the second device – so be sure that all new entries are done on one device before sending to a second. Note that the files will not stay in sync – if you make changes to one device you will need to use this same method to move the new information to your other device.
As an alternative way to load your health information onto a second device, first create a backup and save to your computer or Dropbox as above. Next install PocketHealth onto a second device. If you use the same iTunes account, you won’t have to purchase any upgrades a second time. Just go ahead and choose the upgrade and iTunes will not charge you. Create your PocketHealth account using the same user name and password you used on the primary device. Close the application and connect to iTunes (or link to Dropbox). Follow the directions above to restore the data onto your second device. Note that the files will not stay in sync – if you make changes to one device you will need to use this same method to move the new information to your other device.
Transferring Your Data to a Second Device on Android Devices
If you want to load your health information onto a second device, first create a backup and save to your computer as above. Next, install PocketHealth onto a second device. Create your PocketHealth account using the same user name and password you used on the primary device. Follow the directions above to restore the data onto your second device. Note that the files will not stay in synch – if you make changes to one device you will need to use this same method to move the new information to your other device.
Upgrading PocketHealth
You can upgrade your individual version to PocketHealth PHR to add the ability to store Procedures, Lab Results, Radiology Results and Daily Tracking including Blood Glucose measurements. You can upgrade to PocketHealth Family to store complete data on multiple people. Tap the More button at the bottom of the screen and tap Add Modules to see what you have already purchased and what else is available. PocketHealth Family contains all of the additional features of PocketHealth PHR.
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