Electronic Health Record Rollout in Brandenburg Postponed due to Technical Issues
Brandenburg, Germany – The launch of the electronic patient record (ePA) in Brandenburg has been delayed until the second quarter of 2023, according to the Brandenburg Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KVBB).
The postponement stems from technical deficiencies and security concerns that have emerged during ongoing pilot projects in Hamburg, Franconia, and North Rhine-Westphalia. The Gematik, a predominantly federally owned digital society, had initially planned to introduce the ePA in February, according to the KVBB.
KVBB Executive Board member Holger Rostek described the postponement as a sensible move. "If a software does not function flawlessly, it must not be rolled out in our practices," he said. "They currently have their hands full with providing care to a large number of patients with respiratory infections – we cannot use faulty software in such a situation."
According to the KVBB, the postponement also affects other functions, such as a medication plan originally scheduled for summer, which would have included additional information such as drug dosages.
All German statutory health insurance members who have not opted out will receive an ePA from their health insurance provider. The aim is to increase transparency by making important health data such as medical reports, laboratory values, and medications digitally accessible to millions of insured individuals.
Individuals can view and enter data into their ePA, but they are not obligated to do so. The ePA can be accessed via a health insurance app on smartphones, tablets, or laptops. Doctors can determine what information is recorded and who has access to it.
Benefits of the Electronic Patient Record
The ePA offers numerous advantages for patients and healthcare providers:
- Improved communication: The ePA facilitates the sharing of medical information between patients, doctors, and other healthcare professionals, ensuring a better coordination of care.
- Increased transparency: Patients have a comprehensive overview of their health data and can make informed decisions about their treatment.
- Reduced bureaucracy: The ePA eliminates the need for paper-based medical records and reduces administrative burdens for healthcare providers.
- Emergency access: In case of an emergency, healthcare providers have quick and easy access to a patient’s medical history, even if the patient is unable to communicate.
Challenges and Concerns
Despite its potential benefits, the ePA has also raised concerns regarding data security and privacy. The KVBB emphasized that patient data is stored securely and that access is strictly controlled. However, the association also acknowledged that no system is completely immune to cyberattacks.
Other concerns include:
- Technical compatibility: The ePA must be compatible with different practice software systems to ensure seamless integration into existing workflows.
- User acceptance: Patients need to be informed about the benefits and risks of the ePA and must be encouraged to actively use it.
- Interoperability: The ePA should be able to exchange data with other healthcare systems, such as hospital information systems and laboratory databases.
Conclusion
The postponement of the ePA rollout in Brandenburg is a setback, but it underscores the importance of ensuring that the system is technically sound and secure before it is made widely available. By addressing the concerns raised during the pilot projects, the Gematik and the KVBB aim to create a robust and user-friendly ePA that will ultimately benefit patients and healthcare providers alike.
