What is the Patient Hub in an Electronic Patient Chart?
The term "patient hub" does not appear to be a standardized or widely recognized component in electronic health record (EHR) terminology based on the available medical informatics literature. The evidence suggests you may be referring to either a "patient portal" or a centralized patient information dashboard within an EHR system.
Most Likely Interpretation: Patient Portal
A patient portal is a secure, online platform that provides patients with direct access to their personal health information stored in the electronic medical record. 1
Core Functions of Patient Portals
Patient portals typically enable patients to:
- View personal health information including medication lists, laboratory results, immunizations, allergies, and discharge information 1
- Communicate with healthcare providers through secure messaging for nonurgent consultations, test results, and prescription refills 1
- Manage appointments and payments as well as request prescription refills 1
- Access their medical records from their own home via secure login 1
Clinical Benefits Demonstrated
The evidence shows patient portals can:
- Improve patient safety by enabling patients to discover and report errors in their medical records 1
- Enhance medication adherence through better access to medication information 1
- Facilitate patient-provider communication and reduce in-person visits and emergency department visits 1
- Improve quality of care by allowing patients to spot errors and participate actively in their care 1
Alternative Interpretation: Central Patient Information Dashboard
If "patient hub" refers to a provider-facing component within the EHR, it likely means:
- A centralized interface where clinicians can access, store, and organize all patient encounters, tests, and images in one easily accessible location 1
- A summary view containing key patient data such as diagnoses, surgeries, medications, and allergies that is quickly accessible in multiple locations 2
Key Features for Providers
This centralized system should include:
- Automated decision support that checks for drug interactions and reminds clinicians about overdue screenings 1
- Demographic information including preferred name, gender identity, and pronoun preferences displayed prominently 1
- Medical history inventory that tracks current anatomy and organ systems, particularly important for transgender patients 1
Important Caveats
- Terminology varies across different EHR vendors and healthcare systems—clarify the specific system being used 3
- Implementation challenges exist in inpatient settings where acute conditions and extensive medical information can overwhelm both patients and information technology systems 1
- Privacy and security must be maintained through encrypted, secure systems for all patient access 1