Electronic Health Record Review Releases its Recomendations

A review into the implementation and uptake of the Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record system has made 38 recommendations to address shortcomings of the system and make it more effective for doctors and patients.
“The report found strong support for continuing to develop and implement a consistent and effective electronic health record for all Australians,” Minister for Health, Peter Dutton said.
Key concerns identified in the report include challenges associated with the registration process linked to the opt-in nature of the PCEHR system, the limited amount of clinically usable information, inadequate governance arrangements and the usability of the system.
The 2014-15 Budget provided $140.6 million to support the operation of eHealth and the PCEHR system for 12 months, while the Government continues planning its response to recommendations of the PCEHR review.
“The Government will continue considering the recommendations over the coming months to understand the issues, their implications and in consultation with key stakeholders, determine the best ways to deliver on the intended outcomes,” Mr Dutton said.
“It’s clear many of the existing problems with the PCEHR system stem from the rushed early implementation."
The review was undertaken by an expert group led by Mr Richard Royle, Executive Director of the UnitingCare Health Group in Queensland and supported by Australian Medical Association President, Dr Steve Hambleton, and Mr Andrew Walduck, Chief Information Officer of Australia Post.
The Consumers Health Forum supports the call for a major revamp proposed by the Review of the Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record.
“The new plan will inject fresh life into the eHealth project and we welcome the Government’s positive response,” the Chief Executive Officer of the CHF, Adam Stankevicius said.
“The review has made the crunch call for the adoption of an opt-out provision which will make it automatic for all Australians to sign up unless they specifically refuse to join. "The current “opt-in” process has proved far too slow in building momentum for a scheme whose great value will be to provide better connected care for the vast majority of Australians.
“The newly-named My Health Record, or MyHR, will retain all of the personal controls of the current system under the panel’s plan.  It also proposes that a document concealed by the patient would be flagged and only visible to the patient and the clinician who authored it.
“A national electronic health records system will deliver a surer, safer and more streamlined health system which will enable clinicians to identify health problems faster while reducing the risk of treatment errors and duplication of services,” Mr Stankevicius said.

CHF also supports several other review recommendations, including:

• An education campaign on the opt-out plan for consumers and clinicians


• The creation of the Australian Commission for Electronic Health, largely independent of state and federal governments to oversee the needs of multiple stakeholders


• The creation of a Consumer Advisory Committee and provision of consumer representation  throughout the proposed new structure

“However we are concerned to note that the review recommends that the Systems Operator responsibilities be simply transferred from the Department of Health to the Department of Human Services.
“CHF believes that this role would be best served by the appointment of a System Operator independent of government,” Mr Stankevicius said.
The report is available at http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/eHealth.