Health Informatics
Health Informatics
Overview of the PEHR and its implementation plan
The personally controlled electronic health record (PCEHR) system is an important factor in the health reform strategy by the Australian government. The PCEHR system among other changes being applied in the health sector is meant to develop the delivery of health services and results for the Australian citizens (Mathieson, 24 February 2012). Australians will have the ability to have access to their medical history on the internet by the assistance of these electronic records, which will make it possible to increase patient safety, health provision and trim waste and replication.
This system will be able to offer access to the summaries of the patient’s health data in addition to medications and immunizations and medical test outcome, safe access to health records by the patients using the internet with no reliance on location, stringent efforts by the government to create and keep privacy and the providers of health care will be able to offer efficient services to the patients.
In its implementation, the personally controlled electronic health records will be created on the basis brought about by the use of Individual Health Care Identifiers. Through this, the Australian citizen will be allocated a 16-digit electronic health numeral, which will keep the name of the patient, address and date born. There will be no storage of the clinical information in the numerals, which is quite different from an electronic health record (Australian Government, Personally Controlled Electronic Health Records for All Australians, 11 May 2010). The implementation will on the forefront to be directed to important groups in the society to acquire the instant advantage as well as the ones anguishing from chronic and complicated conditions, the elderly, indigenous Australians and mothers as well as new babies. This form of investment involves financing for two years of the personal records brought about with the help of other countries.
SWOT Analysis of PCEHR
For the strength of the PCEHR, it offers a strong privacy. It prescribes the instances where clients in the system my get, apply and avail data in the clients’ PCEHRs. It similarly offers an extensive form of remedy among them civil penalties, in case of unauthorized collection. In terms of security, information is kept in the PCEHR system composing of an accurate authentication for persons and companies accessing the system, trails which can be acquired by a person, a proactive monitoring scheme of accessing the system to note suspecting and unnecessary behavior, security testing and training (Australain Government, Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record System:Proposals for Regulations and Rules, 2012, pp. 8). It also can be accessed from any location.
In weakness of the system, it is only able to acquire and keep a limited number of data. The information is only supposed to keep for a limited number of times where it will be done away with. The system is not completely safe and hence the information for the clients is easily accessible and free to sabotage. The system requires strong financial backing which is not always there, bringing about short falls.
The threat about the PCEHR system is that the system only allows a limited number of persons in the system. This system which is meant to be encompassing all of the persons in Australia would not permit a section of the people to use it. Another major threat is security, the system calls for everyone using it to be responsible and not issue out their passwords to other people, as well as the health practitioners not offering sensitive information about a patient. As has been noticed, this is not the case; information about a patient is accessible from every quarter due to being irresponsible or mix up of information. This would lead to diagnosing the wrong disease for a different patient.
For opportunity, the PCEHR system is a great system which makes it possible for several people to be assured that their information is safe and bound to rise with confidence that what they give is not tampered with in any way (Australian Government, Personally Controlled Electronic Health Records, December 2011). The system depending on the success it acquires and positive feedback it is bound to expand bringing in more financial backing from several quarters.
Do you believe the government will achieve the goals of the PCEHR program?
The government will be able to meet the goals set out for the PCEHR system. The national electronic health system of data storage was noted as one of the national main concern by the National Health and Hospitals Commission and the National Primary Health Care Strategy. The system upholds the National Preventative Health Strategy (Australian Government, Personally Controlled Electronic Health Records for All Australians, 11 May 2010; Australian Government, Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record System: Legislation Issues Paper, 2011). The plans by the Government in changes in the primary, acute elderly and society care similarly needed an up to date electronic health structure. It is significant objective in creating a health system for the 21st century.
Do you see any changes required to the current proposed model and if so, what changes would you make to the proposed concept or the implementation plan?
The electronic health system is being controlled by law; the privacy law (Senate, March 2012). These laws do not allow certain information to be applied in the system. My proposal is intended to add value to the present one rather than doing away with it; there should be a common law duty of confidentiality forms the health practitioners and the patients as well as a professional accreditation and registration necessities for the health practitioners to go one in operation. In terms of participation, it is necessary that in any scheme that is put in place there should be people taking part in it. There should be indistinct aspects for involvement in application of the system and establishment of complete processes which are applied as well as penalties.
Conclusion
The electronic health record has the ability to elevate the quality and safety of health provision. Patients will be able to receive effective treatment. There is also the reduction of waste and inefficiencies that is attributed to the health industry. Consequently, the system will be able to elevate continuity and health results of the patients. The system is set to be a success with proper implementation and consideration of the proposals made.
Bibliography
Government, A. (11 May 2010). Personally Controlled Electronic Health Records for All Australians. Health Budget 2010-2011.
Government, A. (2011). Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record System: Legislation Issues Paper. Legislation Issues Paper.
Government, A. (2012). Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record System: Proposals for Regulations and Rules. National Health Reform.
Government, A. (December 2011). Personally Controlled Electronic Health Records. National Health Reform.
Mathieson, T. (24 February 2012). Overview of the personally controlled electronic health record system and how it will work. National E-Health Transition Authority.
Senate, T. (March 2012). Personally Controlled Electronic Health. Community Affairs Legislation Committee.
