The acting president of the PSA, Dr Shane Jackson, said the NHHRC report addressed concerns expressed about the National E-Health Strategy which proposed a 10-year time frame for the adoption of electronic health initiatives.
“The PSA has long maintained that the 10-year proposal as outlined in the E-Health Strategy was unrealistic and did not meet the best interests of the Australian public,” Dr Jackson said.
“It is refreshing to see the NHHRC moving to speed up the process of introducing electronic health records which PSA believes are an important step in the improving the ongoing health-care needs of all Australians.
“PSA welcomes the accelerated timetable proposed by the NHHRC. PSA supports the widespread and comprehensive use of electronic health records for recording the supply of medications and also supports the recommendation that all healthcare providers have an obligation to ‘transmit’ key data, such as dispensed medications. Whilst we support that all healthcare providers transmit key data, it must be acknowledged that government needs to fund the infrastructure changes that need to be made for this to occur.”
The proposal would improve pharmacists’ ability to assist in the continuity of care for patients especially when transitioning between the hospital and community and vice-versa.
“Also, by pharmacists having access to the relevant diagnostic and pathology information, it places us in a much better position to detect and resolve any medication-related problems. The access to this diagnostic and pathology information will also greatly facilitate any future prescribing role for pharmacists and the ability of pharmacists to increase their role in Australia’s health-care system,” Dr Jackson said.
Dr Jackson said the report did not appear to propose that it be compulsory for patients to maintain an electronic health record.
“PSA, however, supports the introduction of processes that foster greater participation in any such system. We would urge an approach that encouraged opting out of the system, rather than opting in.”
Dr Jackson said the Government also needs to develop a strategy to inform consumers and health professionals about the significant benefits and safeguards of the proposed NHHRC approach. “Such an awareness-raising strategy is an important step in ensuring the acceptance and efficacy of the new records system, which will be an essential pre-requisite to its success,” Dr Jackson said.
Dr Jackson said PSA would respond to other issues raised in the NHHRC report in the near future.
