Events related to electronic patient records are occurring rapidly. The unprepared introduction of electronic patient records (EPA) is causing dissatisfaction not only among software manufacturers, who are still struggling with specifications. In addition to patient safety organizations, doctors are also now demanding a “significant postponement” of the EPA’s “safe start.” Starting January 15, EPA version 3.0 will initially be launched in model areas and then nationwide after about four weeks. The short testing phase and implementation time had already caused criticism in June.
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Photos, video and company: Berlin Senate explains data protection in everyday daycare“Since June, MEDI has been strongly demanding a longer testing phase for ePA. By now it should finally be clear to BMG that providers of practice management systems will not follow through with the nationwide rollout in mid-February. (PVS) have made their concerns clear.”, warns Dr. Norbert Smetak, President of MEDI Baden-Württemberg. There is still no test environment available to manufacturers of practical systems. The medical association is calling for a “fairly lengthy testing phase” for the electronic patient file. BMG should “accommodate EPA’s introduction in a realistic and transparent manner”.
“We are close to the Christmas season, in the midst of a long-running wave of infections and operating in a completely overloaded health system. It is irresponsible that a mega-project like the EPA is now being funded by just one Practices should be implemented within a few weeks,” says Smatek. The unrealistic plan is “needless for a project worth billions (…)”. The General Practitioners’ Association had also warned of the beginning of anarchy. Similarly, the safety of EPA is not fully understood. For MEDI, medical privacy and confidential handling of health data is a top priority.
No restrictions for doctors
After software makers asked the Federal Health Ministry (BMG) to postpone the deadline, the BMG made some concessions. Accordingly, EPA modules for primary systems for practices and hospitals should only be available after a successful trial period. Following media reports and much discussion on social media due to the postponement of the start date of electronic patient records, Suzanne Ozegowski commented on the “rumors” on LinkedIn. For many people, change creates uncertainty. The medical association MEDI Baden-Württemberg is critical, “BMG’s current communication on scheduling is causing confusion among practicing physicians.”
Since PVS manufacturers are no longer obligated to provide modules to the EPA by mid-January, it is According to Dr. Sybil Steiner“It goes without saying that practices should not be penalized with sanctions if they do not have a current EPA module,” said Dr., a board member of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Practitioners (KBV). Therefore TI flat rate should not be reduced. “We have already written to BMG about this and believe that the ministry will confirm this opinion,” Steiner said.
Who informs patients?
While doctors have long envisioned a way to easily and securely share patient data with each other, the reality may be a little more complicated. “First, it is the job of health insurance companies to inform and educate their members about EPAs. Practices are already working at their limit and they have to additionally educate their patients on the basics of EPAs. There is no ability to explain,” explains Dr. Roland Stahl from KBV. KBV’s current digitalization practice barometer shows that a large majority of practices (90 percent) fear “that there will be a high level of administrative and time expenditure from EPA.”
Practices must inform patients about what data they store in the EHR. “This can be done verbally or on practice notice. If patients object, this should be recorded in the treatment documentation. (…) If patients agree to storage, this should also be noted. Yes,” explains KBV. Doctors and psychiatrists should also inform their patients about their right to object to particularly sensitive data such as mental illnesses or abortion. According to the KBV, contraindications “must be recorded in the treatment document”. “If genetic testing results are to be included in the EPA, patients must provide their written consent,” it continues.
Worry about administrative costs for practices and clinics
Hospital doctors also have concerns about the new reporting requirements. “This is not currently planned in the hospital and would also affect the acceptance of EPA in the hospital,” says the German Hospital Association.
It is also unclear when the software will be “EPA-ready” in hospitals and practices. For hospitals, it will take additional time to connect not only the hospital information system but also other systems such as radiology information systems and laboratory information systems. According to DKG, it cannot be implemented across the board until the statutory commencement date. A more realistic date for a nationwide rollout would be mid-2025.
(Mac)
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