CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A new Web site is available to help West Virginians understand electronic health records.

Many doctors and health clinics are switching patients' medical records from paper to digital format. The eHealthWV project (www.eHealthWV.org) is designed to educate consumers about electronic records.

"The switchover to electronic health records among health care providers is still in its early stages in West Virginia, but we expect the pace to pick up in the next few years," said Patty Ruddick, director of the West Virginia Health Information and Security and Privacy Collaboration. "Our hope is to let West Virginians know how advantageous electronic health records and health information exchange systems are."

The West Virginia project is part of a national initiative to teach patients and health care professionals about maintaining privacy and security when using electronic health records. The federal government expects most Americans to have electronic health records by 2014.

"Electronic health records provide us with an important means to improve the quality of health care and the safety of patients," said Dr. Mark Stephens, a Charleston doctor with the West Virginia Medical Institute. "It is imperative for consumers and providers to understand their benefits."

Many doctors and health clinics are switching patients' medical records from paper to digital format. The eHealthWV project (www.eHealthWV.org) is designed to educate consumers about electronic records.

"The switchover to electronic health records among health care providers is still in its early stages in West Virginia, but we expect the pace to pick up in the next few years," said Patty Ruddick, director of the West Virginia Health Information and Security and Privacy Collaboration. "Our hope is to let West Virginians know how advantageous electronic health records and health information exchange systems are."

The West Virginia project is part of a national initiative to teach patients and health care professionals about maintaining privacy and security when using electronic health records. The federal government expects most Americans to have electronic health records by 2014.

"Electronic health records provide us with an important means to improve the quality of health care and the safety of patients," said Dr. Mark Stephens, a Charleston doctor with the West Virginia Medical Institute. "It is imperative for consumers and providers to understand their benefits."