Use of electronic patient records is being expanded across the board
The use of electronic patient records (ePA) will be expanded across the board. On Thursday, the Bundestag approved a corresponding bill by Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach. A further bill by the minister was also passed to make patients' health data more usable for research.
With these laws, "we are finally ushering in the digital age for the German healthcare system", explained Lauterbach.
He went on to speak of "a decisive step towards a new, learning healthcare system". This will both improve cutting-edge medicine and make routine care safer.
The electronic patient file is to be made available to all people with statutory health insurance from 2025. Until now, it has only been used with the express consent of the person concerned. In future, its use is to become the norm - although patients will be able to object to this.
With the ePA, insured persons are to receive a complete digital medication overview, for example. According to the Ministry of Health, other important treatment information such as doctor's letters or medical reports will also be available there from the outset.
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Source: www.ntv.de
