Wednesday 18 May 2016

Secure Shared Patient Record System on the way at Southern DHB

The Southern District Health Board will soon be introducing HealthOne, a shared patient record system that allows clinicians role-appropriate access to patient information at the point of care. The system has already been successfully implemented in Canterbury, West Coast and South Canterbury districts and Nelson Marlborough lined up to follow Southern.

HealthOne extracts important information from General Practice, pharmacy, community nursing and hospital records and makes them available in a single record, so that clinicians caring for a patient can see a more complete picture. Once the regional rollout is complete, the same shared information system will be accessible across the whole South Island, leading to safer, faster and better informed care for all South Islanders.

HealthOne also saves both patient and clinicians’ time by removing the need for repeat laboratory or radiology tests, and ensures patients need only provide each piece of information once.

An example of how HealthOne works would be if a person is taken to hospital, a hospital doctor or nurse will be able to find clear information about current and previous diagnoses, prescribed and dispensed medications, recent procedures and medical warnings.

“Being able to access this information will be particularly important if the person is unconscious or unable to communicate effectively. At present unless a clinician can get hold of the patient’s GP quickly, they have to make decisions only on the basis of what they can see, which is just part of the story,” said Southern DHB Chief Medical Officer, Dr Nigel Millar.

Electronic patient records available through HealthOne are held in a secure database that can only be accessed by authorised clinicians on health system equipment that has been enabled for the purpose.

Only information from health providers that have agreed to contribute to HealthOne is included. A primary care clinician can mark specific information as confidential at the request of the patient, so that it isn’t shared. Or, the patient can opt off HealthOne altogether so that none of their information is shared. Alternatively a health professional responsible for their care can make this request on their behalf.

As part of the build up to HealthOne going live in the Southern District, community laboratory test results will become available for view by currently authorised users across the South Island from 23 May 2016. Secure access will also be provided to Southern DHB personnel to this data with GPs and community pharmacists to follow as part of the HealthOne rollout in the second half of 2016.

“We’re delighted that the implementation of HealthOne is underway. It will enable better, safer care via the sharing of patient information amongst key providers in an individual’s health care including GPs, the hospital emergency department, dispensing pharmacies and community care co-ordination,” said Dr Millar.

How do I opt off?

You can choose not to share your information. You can register that specific parts of your information are not shared, or opt off altogether so that none of it is shared, by:

• Telling you healthcare provider during your visit or consultation

• Telling your pharmacist when you get your prescription filled

• Calling Freephone 0508 837 872 (0508 TESTSAFE)

• Emailing privacy@healthone.org.nz

If you opt off HealthOne, health professionals caring for you may not immediately have information they need to provide the best and safest care possible. If you are thinking of opting off, please discuss your options with your healthcare provider or the person you speak to when you call the Freephone number.

ENDS

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