North Queensland
HealthConnect is a system of electronic health records that aims to improve the flow of information across the Australian health sector. It involves the electronic collection, storage and exchange of consumer health information via a secure network and within strict privacy safeguards.
HealthConnect trials test the network in a 'live' setting and have helped to identify the preferred model for HealthConnect. The national implementation of HealthConnect, to begin in South Australia and Tasmania, will have minimal impact on the trials which will continue as planned to inform the implementation process.
The North Queensland HealthConnect trial focuses on consumers in rural and remote regions outside Townsville and Thuringowa where many of them must travel long distances to access health care services. The trial centres on patients who are in the peri-operative period - that is from the time they are referred for elective surgery, through to the hospital admission and during the post-operative care period.
Approximately 40% of consumers who undergo elective surgery at The Townsville Hospital live in rural and remote centres. Increasingly these patients are being admitted on the day of surgery and are being discharged earlier. As a result, there is a need for better coordination of pre- and post-operative care.
HealthConnect enables GPs in remote and rural areas to be involved in their patients' initial pre-operative assessments, therefore helping to avoid last minute cancellations and unnecessary trips to Townsville due to inadequate pre-surgery preparation. HealthConnect also allows GPs and others in the patient's care team to be involved throughout the period of peri-operative care. The improved flow of health information allows the GP and other health care providers to have up-to-date information and involvement throughout the whole period of surgery.
What does the trial aim to do?
The North Queensland trial is testing various aspects of HealthConnect and aims to improve the quality of health care by electronically sharing important clinical information. This is then is available when and where it is required.
The trial also aims to test the concept of the collection, storage and exchange of health information and test important components such as consent, privacy, consumer participation and data storage.
How does the trial work?
The trial supports the sharing of health information between health care providers involved in a consumer's care. When a consumer is referred to a surgeon for possible elective surgery at The Townsville Hospital, their GP or a Queensland Health Facility health care provider generates an electronic referral that includes the consumer's health history. With the consumer's consent, this health information may be electronically stored and shared between health care providers.
The information contained in HealthConnect includes a series of event summaries, briefly describing individual health events (rather than the comprehensive notes that a doctor may keep as a record of a consultation). For example, it may include information about diagnoses, treatments, medications, key observations and recommended tests.
HealthConnect information is collected and controlled by strict security, privacy and consent frameworks. HealthConnect trials are underpinned by a national privacy framework based on the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988.
When did the trial begin?
The trial began in December 2003 and is expected to continue until June 2005.
Who can participate in the trial?
Consumers who live in the North Queensland area and require elective surgery are offered the opportunity to take part in the trial. Consumers already on The Townsville Hospital's elective surgery waiting lists are also able to participate.
GPs who practice in the areas within the geographical boundaries of the North West Primary Healthcare Service Inc. and the Townsville Division of General Practice, may also participate in the trial.
All trial participants are able to withdraw from the trial at any time.
Links
Townsville Division of General Practice
North and West Queensland Primary Health Care
Further information
For further information about the North Queensland HealthConnect trial, click on the link below:
North Queensland Media releases
Alternatively, contact the North Queensland HealthConnect trial office:
GPO Box 670
Townsville Qld 4810
ph: 1800 007 745 (free call) or (07) 4796 2728 email: HealthConnectnq@health.qld.gov.au
For general information about HealthConnect contact the HealthConnect Program Office:
Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing
MDP 25, GPO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601
fax: (02) 6289 8295
email: healthconnect@health.gov.au