Health and Ageing Minister Nicola Roxon has released the draft eHealth records legislation, known as the personally controlled electronic health record (PCEHR) system, for public comment.
The draft legislation features harsh fines for a record being inappropriately accessed and if more than one record is accessed without authorisation, the penalty multiplies by the number of records.
The system will also be monitored to detect suspicious or inappropriate behaviour, ensuring records are only accessed on a needs basis.
“Electronic health records have the potential to save lives, time and money and make the health system more efficient,” Ms Roxon said.
Ms Roxon said patients will have control over who accesses their information, and will know who has accessed their records and at what time.
“Patients can upgrade their privacy settings to suit their needs, for example, giving their GP access to their entire records but more limited access to their dentist,” she said.
“Doctors, or other health professionals, will be the only people allowed to create medical notes on the file. Patients can add their own notes about their general health but cannot make medical notes.”
The Australian Nursing Federation has welcomed the draft legislation as an important step in giving Australians access to their health records while also assisting health professionals.
“Doctors, nurses and nurse practitioners, and other health professionals will also benefit by the implementation of an electronic health system, saving precious time by no longer having to rely on paper records when treating patients,” ANF federal secretary Lee Thomas said.
The legislation is open to public comment until October 28. For more information visit www.yourhealth.gov.au.
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Quelle/Source: Nursing Careers Allied Health, 02.10.2011
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