22nd November 2024
Is Your Hospital Ready for the December 1 My Health Record Compliance Deadline?
By December 1, 2024, Australian hospitals are required to have a plan in place to upload clinical information, such as discharge summaries, to My Health Record (MHR). Starting in January 2025, accrediting agencies will be reviewing hospital compliance with these requirements, including monitoring and evaluating the implementation process.
Steps to Prepare for the December 1, 2024 Deadline
Hospitals have been preparing for this transition, and there are several key steps to ensure readiness by December 1:
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Audit Your Current Processes
Begin with an audit of your hospital’s discharge summary workflow. Identify areas where manual processes can be improved or automated to streamline uploads and minimise errors. -
Engage Your Technology Providers
Work with your technology providers to confirm that your systems are compatible with MHR integration. Platforms like Civica’s Dox, a clinical documentation system, automate the discharge summary upload process, reducing workload and ensuring timely submissions. -
Train Your Healthcare Team
Team engagement is critical for a smooth transition. Provide training for both clinical and administrative staff to emphasise the importance of accuracy and timeliness in uploading discharge summaries, highlighting the positive impact on patient care. -
Implement Ongoing Monitoring
Regular compliance checks, including audits of discharge summary uploads, can help detect missed or delayed uploads early. A dedicated compliance team can track your hospital’s status and support continuous improvement efforts. -
Keep Stakeholders Informed
Communication is key. Inform patients about the benefits of having their discharge summaries in MHR and keep external providers like GPs and specialists updated to foster a collaborative, patient-centred approach.
My Health Record: A New Era of Information Sharing
My Health Record is an Australian Government initiative that consolidates Australians' health information in a secure, accessible platform. Since its inception, MHR adoption has expanded, giving healthcare providers from GPs to specialists and hospitals access to critical health information whenever needed. This integration helps reduce risks from fragmented or outdated data, providing a more seamless care experience.
Discharge summaries include essential information about a patient’s treatment, prescribed medications, and follow-up care recommendations, which are vital for continued care. Preparing now will ensure that your hospital meets the requirements smoothly and effectively.
Embracing Compliance as an Opportunity
Meeting this new standard, signals to patients that your hospital prioritises quality and safety. Patients benefit from better-coordinated care, while your hospital stands out as a leader in patient-centred digital healthcare. With the deadline fast approaching, now is the time to finalise preparations and embrace the benefits of a connected healthcare ecosystem.
Email us to learn how we can help you navigate this important transition.