Featured image via Australian Digital Health Agency’s Twitter page.
More than 95% of Australian diagnostic imaging practices will
soon be able to connect to the My Health Record system with 16 new software
companies finalising service agreements with the Australian Digital Health
Agency.
Over the coming months software companies will build My
Health Record connectivity into their systems, according to the media
release. By the end of 2018, less than 12 months after offering
arrangements, diagnostic imaging centres will be able to access software that
connects with My Health Record and to upload reports for their patients.
Demand from patients for a secure on-line summary of their
health information is gathering momentum. Over 5.3 million Australians have a
My Health Record and a new record is created every 38 seconds.
Agency CEO Tim
Kelsey said that the response from the software industry to the recent
Diagnostic Imaging Services Offer has been significant.
“My Health Record is making strong inroads into developing
the support and services. This work will help fulfil the potential of a secure
online summary for all Australians and ensure healthcare professionals have
access to key patient information,” Mr. Kelsey said.
Perth Radiological Clinic Chairman Dr. Martin Blake said
that his organisation was committed to digital health.
“We pride ourselves on our innovative approach to imaging.”
“Our practice services both public and private patients and
the My Health Record will allow us to compare previous results and to share our
findings with the patient and other health care providers involved in their
care,” Dr. Blake said.
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists
(RANZCR) President Dr Greg Slater also welcomed the announcement.
“This is an important step towards connecting diagnostic
imaging practices with My Health Record and making clinical radiologist reports
more readily available to support decision-making across the health system,” Dr.
Slater said.
Australian Diagnostic Imaging Association (ADIA) CEO Pattie
Beerens said the organisation looks forward to working with the Agency and its
partners to improve the My Health Record, and to ensure the implementation of
the National Digital Health Strategy best serves radiologists and their
patients.
“ADIA is working to ensure that radiology patients are
empowered to fully realise the benefits of the My Health Record system as
increased functionality is rolled out, and that radiology practices are
supported to participate efficiently and effectively,” Ms. Beerens said.
Agreements for software updates have been reached with these
software companies:
- Agfa Healthcare Australia
- Carestream Health Australia
- Central Data Networks
- Comrad Australia
- Cynetics IT
- Healthinc
- Intellirad Solutions
- Contrast Imaging Solutions
- Kestral
- LogicPlus
- McCauley Software
- Medinexus
- Pro Medicus Limited
- Sigmalogic
- Soliton IT (Australasia)
Earlier this month, the Digital Health Agency announced
that pharmacists can now upload dispense records and view hospital discharge
summaries, shared health summaries, and allergy information to My Health Record
using enhanced Minfos, POS Works, and RxOne software.
Connection to My Health Record is an important step to
enabling pharmacists to play a more integrated role in medications management
and coordinated care. Pharmacists can have timely information on a person’s
current medications, whether dispensed at hospital discharge, or through any
community pharmacy in the country.
In July 2017, the Australian Digital Health Agency and Pharmacy Guild of
Australia entered into
a collaborative partnership aimed at driving adoption and use of the My
Health Record system by community pharmacies (supported by education and
training) and maximising the medicines safety benefits.