The NSW Government has announced that work is underway on a new single digital patient record (SDPR) system.
The current system for recording health records is complex, cumbersome and outdated.
Currently we have 9 systems used for electronic medical records, 10 patient administration systems and 5 pathology laboratory information manage systems in use across NSW Health.
NSW Health is now working on a single streamlined system to record patient records to replace and consolidate what is currently available.
The current system(s)
Currently, these systems are not connected statewide.
Data is routinely collected but is often unable to be shared or integrated in real time.
This can create duplicative data collection or create information gaps in decision making.
As a result, patients may have to recall and repeat complex medical information when they're feeling unwell.
Often this is when patients are receiving care at different locations or from separate treatment teams and impacts the experience of care they receive.
Benefits to patients
The new system will improve patient experience through better continuity of care.
The SDPR will reduce the need for patients or their carers to recall and repeat health information.
It will provide patients with secure access to relevant medical data to help them make informed care choices and self-manage their own health and wellbeing.
And it will also facilitate more informed consultations.
Benefits to clinicians
The SDPR will provide clinicians with access to full patient clinical information in any location, supporting better continuity of care for patients.
The new system will promote clinical safety and quality, reducing unnecessary duplication of care.
It will also reduce the amount of manual administration, streamline record keeping and give clinicians more time at the bedside.
Minister for Health Ryan Park said:
"The NSW Government's new single digital patient record, will deliver healthcare workers and their patients with consistent, timely and secure health information.
"A consolidated and centralised record keeping system will provide a holistic and integrated view of the care a patient receives right across the NSW public health system.
"As Health Minister, one of my priorities is to embrace innovative solutions to find efficiencies in the way we deliver care."
NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce AM said:
"We can now move into the next exciting phase of this project, which is to work together across all of NSW Health on the design, build and testing of the Single Digital Patient Record, so we can create a world-class digital platform that meets the diverse needs of our clinicians, staff, patients and carers.
"The Single Digital Patient Record will support NSW Health's ongoing commitment to delivering safe, timely, high quality, equitable and patient-centred healthcare for the people of NSW."
